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Best way to go? #907719

Asked June 29, 2025, 4:07 PM EDT

I have a rather large silver maple that lost a limb during these last run of storms. There seems to have been some critters doing work and weakening this limb until it failed. I am wondering what, if any, product is should use to keep these posts from doing more damage to this tree. Most of what I'm reading says leave it natural to heal but others say silver maple may need help. Thank you for your response.

Clinton County Michigan

Expert Response

Can you provide a photo further back that shows the entire tree, including the location the branch broke off from? This looks like heart rot, which would indicate that there had been a wound of some sort that allowed fungi into the inner part of the tree. There is no way to stop the decay from slowly spreading through the tree, and there is no treatment that we recommend, other than cleaning up any jagged edges, loose bark, etc. What I can't tell from the photos is whether the decay started from a wound in the large branch, or from another wound in the trunk. That makes it difficult to assess what shape your tree is in.

If you would like to have a certified arborist look at your tree: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist

Thank you for contacting Ask Extension! Replied June 30, 2025, 10:47 AM EDT

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