Hollow trees make such ideal habitats for so various types of birds, squirrels and other animals that it almost seems like nature created them primarily to fulfill such purpose. Hollow trees across the entire world are home to various types of wildlife, and have also played important roles in folklore through the entire years. In accordance with National Geographic News, male tree-hole frogs in the rain forests of Borneo have already been found to work with the unique acoustics of hollow trees to tune the pitch of their mating calls to be louder and more inviting to females. Hollow Knight Rotting, hollow tree branches serve since the mating and breeding habitat for these tree-hole frogs because they make the most of the sheltered, moist environment to lay eggs. Hollow trees fall naturally into the life span cycle, but maybe you have wondered why some trees are hollow in the first place?
Understanding the main reason some trees are hollow involves first taking a glance at how trees sustain life. Tree trunks and branches are composed of a series of layers, with each serving an important purpose. The visible outer bark of the tree protects the interior of the tree from the weather in addition to disease, fungi, animals, insects and dehydration. Another three layers just inside the outer bark transport food and sugars from the leaves to the remaining portion of the tree, create new growth and transport water and nutrients from roots to other parts of the tree. The innermost layer of the tree, called heartwood, serves as a supportive core and is composed of strong woody tissue that's no further alive. Tree growth occurs when new layers of tissue form and push outward, while dead cells become the main supportive heartwood.
In order for a tree to defend itself, exterior layers must compartmentalize decay before it spreads to the supportive heartwood of the tree. If outer layers fail to do this, a hole referred to as a rot cavity will form, which will be likely the result of fungi causing decay in the heartwood of the tree. This often happens after the tree has acquired a wound, such as for instance from pruning or damage from a storm. Over time, this rot cavity can become larger, eventually resulting in a complete hollowing of the tree's heartwood. So long as the outer, living layers of the tree remain intact and are of sufficient thickness as set alongside the hollowed area, a tree can often survive after developing a hollow.
While historically hollow trees have already been filled with cement and a number of other substances, most experts now concur that filling a cavity or hollow trunk is more detrimental than good at supporting the tree. It is very important to note that although some hollow trees are structurally sound, others represent a hazard and should really be supported or removed. Hollow trees which can be weak can become hazardous and pose threats to people, buildings and other property in the vicinity. If you have an empty tree on your own property, it is recommended to own it inspected by a certified arborist, who are able to determine whether it is living and assess its strength. If the tree is structurally weak, an arborist can determine whether it may be salvaged through effective cabling and bracing techniques, or if removal is necessary.
