Hole in my apple tree

[StephenH]

Stripping ivy from the trunk of my large, old apple tree, I found this hole near the base. The wood inside is dead and rotten, and it was full of woodlice. Should I be worried? What should I do about it? (The bit of green near the top is an ivy stem. It had rooted deep inside the hole, but I removed it.)

[yummersetter]

This might seem like an unnecessary question, but do you know what variety it is? I find that some more delicate types will drop dead if they have a tiny bit of canker whilst the triploids will thrive even when there's more hole than bark. I have an ancient Bramley that had a small hole nibbled in the trunk by a sheep in the 1960s that is now big enough to put your arm in up to your shoulder but the tree doesn't seem to care. One thing that doesn't work ( guess how I know?) is filling the hole with expanding polystyrene foam to keep the rain out!

[StephenH]

I think it's 'James Grieve'. I was thinking of scraping out all the dead wood and washing it out with outdoor disinfectant ( I typed in the name of the most well-known one, but it came up as asterisks!). Good idea, or not?

[Kirk]

Suggest that you simply leave it. Holes in trees are fairly normal, especially as they get bigger. The sap only goes up the outer bit so the centre does not do a great deal.

A wash with water may be useful but I doubt it, a wash with any chemical such as indicated will almost certainly kill it. Last hole like that I saw was occupied by bluetits, it will also make a good home for a bee colony - not the large honey bee's colony but the others (forget the names).

[StephenH]

OK, thanks. I'll do as you suggest.

[FB.]

[StephenH]

Cripes! Well, if that one is still alive, I don't think mine's in immediate danger!

[Shimozu]

a slide for gnomes

[KevinM67]

Fantastic pic FB