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  Chris Auld March 27, 2013 at 3:25pm

  I would just leave them be, there is probably hollows all over that tree and it doesnt seem to be causing any problems.
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  Liam Timmins March 27, 2013 at 7:39pm

  I wouldn't ever recommend filling hollows / cavities with cement.
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  John Baker March 27, 2013 at 8:06pm

  But it's great for sharpening chain once it's buried in the tree
  Liam Timmins said:

  I wouldn't ever recommend filling hollows / cavities with cement.
• PRO

  Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd March 27, 2013 at 9:30pm

  
  Why not? I never have but I'd be interested into hearing why?
  Liam Timmins said:

  I wouldn't ever recommend filling hollows / cavities with cement.
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  Liam Timmins March 27, 2013 at 9:42pm

  It reduces the trees flexibility and its ability to grow additional wood in order to compartmentslise itself, trees have been around since time began so they are better in looking after themselves than we are after all pruning is a necessary evil.
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  Chris Auld March 27, 2013 at 10:01pm

  When i was at Greenmount college there was an old weeping Ash tree that had a huge hollow on one of the main branches, to stop it filling with rain water and rotting they had drilled a hole down through the branch so the water would drain out. I havn't seen it in years though so im not sure if it worked.
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  John Baker March 28, 2013 at 12:49am

  Some idle research on internet suggests that the sitting water acts as a barrier ito pathogens. Drilling drainage hole just opens up another entry point for infection. Makes sense as a reason not to, But i dont know...suppose that's why i opened the thread, to see other points of view.
  
  Chris Auld said:

  When i was at Greenmount college there was an old weeping Ash tree that had a huge hollow on one of the main branches, to stop it filling with rain water and rotting they had drilled a hole down through the branch so the water would drain out. I havn't seen it in years though so im not sure if it worked.
• PRO Supplier

  Etesia UK March 28, 2013 at 1:55pm

  if you fill the hole then over time it will act as a lovely damp & dark breeding ground (between filler compound and bark of tree) for all the little nasties that rot wood and eat it to grow which will drasticly speed up the decay of the tree just like capping of a trunk when a tree is dropped

  i would leave it well alone and just leave nature to do its thing
• PRO

  Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd April 1, 2013 at 10:44am

  
  Thanks Liam.
  Liam Timmins said:

  It reduces the trees flexibility and its ability to grow additional wood in order to compartmentslise itself, trees have been around since time began so they are better in looking after themselves than we are after all pruning is a necessary evil.
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  andy @Doughty Garden Maintenance April 2, 2013 at 8:44pm

  at my manor house job, there is loads of trees, each one I know personally after working there every week for 6 years, there is a few trees with concrete in them, one was an apple tree that i cut down last year, I was unaware of the concrete until I started cutting up the trunk when all of a sudden there was a cloud of white dust and sparks and the chainsaw went into a lump of concrete which was very nearly at the center of the trunk and had been completely swallowed by the tree,

  Needless to say I managed, at the very least, 5 major swear words in one sentance as the chain was totally blunted!!

  There is a big Horse Chestnut with a hollow trunk and a huge lump of concrete hanging out of the hollow.

  I have spotted smaller bits in several of the orchard trees.

  I believe it was a common thing to do in the 50's and 60's, half a century later and the trees are well into the process of growing round it and providing us chainsaw weilders with a hidden danger!