AusBonsai

Great to hear the trunks seem to be alive. Can't always be accurate from photos so very possible we have misinterpreted the signs.
Trident bark does indeed peel off each year and that appears to be what's happening up top. Just to be clear, the section I was looking at is lower trunk, under the short stump. See picture. Not sure if you checked down there?

I will recheck that area. If it is dead I’ll continue a Shari down. I’m thinking that area could be likely to die if it isn’t already unless the tree throws out some shoots below the heart? Would that be accurate?

The first photos I put up yesterday look very gloomy in comparison to today’s. Lighting must be better today.
I was a bit worried yesterday that I’d loose more of the tree to dead wood than I’d prefer.

Will see how the tree responds, I’m hoping it will flush again before winter but been pretty cold today in Sydney. For Sydney standard anyway. Didn’t go past 17degrees here.

I’m thinking that area could be likely to die if it isn’t already unless the tree throws out some shoots below the heart? Would that be accurate?

That's the usual reason for die back under a big chop. Where there was previously strong sap flow from roots to leaves there's suddenly no sap flow. Often roots are tied closely to branches right above so if branches are chopped often the roots that service then die because no food is coming back to them.
Trees can change sap flow paths but it takes time. If reductions are done over months or years there is less problem but when large parts are chopped in one go some dead wood can be expected.

Here's one of mine from last year. It was a feral growing behind the shed. Dug and root pruned hard then trunk chopped and potted.
Plenty of new branches but about 1/3 of the trunk has died back. I have earmarked it for carving to make a feature of the dead section.

Hi Everyone,

Bit of an update and seeking advice.

I started working down the larger branch stub to see what was happening there.
Decent amount of wood root inside buy the looks of it. I guess water has just been seeping into that for who knows how long.
Would I be best to open up a Shari as on the photo I’ve marked in yellow? Or is there other options?

I’m guessing I need to clean the area out and then make some arrangements for it to be able to drain?

TimS suggested drilling a hole down the centre and a drain hole at the fork.

You will need to carve all that rot out. Yellow line is fine,but you won’t know how much rot there is until you start digging at it. You can stop once you get to where it’s live the decide on how to continue the carving to ensure no water will pool at the bottom. You need to have it drain away, otherwise it may develop more rot lower down.
Cheers
Kirky

On the dremel this morning.
How does that look? Should I apply cut paste around the edges?

Looks natural. Well done.

Does the shari go right to the bottom of the hollow? Looks like you still have a bit of a well in the trunk that will fill with water.
For maples with hollow trunks and/or rotting wood I have been using lime sulphur on the dead section as a preservative to slow further rotting.

shibui wrote: ↑May 21st, 2023, 4:40 pm Looks natural. Well done.

Does the shari go right to the bottom of the hollow? Looks like you still have a bit of a well in the trunk that will fill with water.
For maples with hollow trunks and/or rotting wood I have been using lime sulphur on the dead section as a preservative to slow further rotting.

Thanks Shibui,

The Shari does go to below the bottom of the hollow.
I’d overlooked lime sulphur, I’ll get onto that.

Should I just leave the edges as is to callous naturally or apply cut past?

I would just let it callus naturally. I use cut paste to help callus roll over a large chop but I don't think you'll get that one to grow right over nor would you want to.
Cut paste does not have magical properties. It won't stop rot or prevent any die back. Only the tree can do that.

It's great to see how a stump can be hollowed out. I've seen hollows before, but had no idea how to create them, so thank you for sharing.

Gives me confidence to buy something that's been cut like that.

I did a bit of work on the other branch before I lost the light.
I’ve applied lime sulphur to the bigger hollow.

I’m wondering if I should let that big heart shaped chop be to see what it does next year or just bite the bullet and carve that out?
I might be getting a bit power tool mad I think?
Probably should cool it and just let it recover now.

SuperBonSaiyan wrote: ↑May 21st, 2023, 10:20 pm It's great to see how a stump can be hollowed out. I've seen hollows before, but had no idea how to create them, so thank you for sharing.

Gives me confidence to buy something that's been cut like that.

That’s the first time I’ve ever done it. I’m not a novice with power tools and carving wood though.
You just need an idea and plan it thoroughly with advice from knowledgeable people.
The dremels just need a firm/steady hand because they try to run away and rip up sections you don’t want ripped up.

Practice on some junk wood in a vice so you know how it behaves Or misbehaves in some instances.
And make sure you are wearing eye protection!

This was a good vid to watch with Kevin Wilson ripping into a yew with the Makita.

https://youtu.be/E84GCx3GvBs

I think the future of this trident might be to carve down that line indicated in yellow. I can’t see that huge wound ever healing over or looking good. It would suit the theme and be working with what’s there. I know that root connected to the area would die but I’m not a fan of it anyway.
Thoughts anyone?