Stop/slowdown rot in maple stump

davewick · Jul 20, 2010

We lost the top of a 4' diameter maple a few weeks back in a windstorm. I cut the trunk down to about 8' high and there's some rot inside, there's at least 15" of good wood around the perimeter.

My question is how to stop/slowdown the rot while I perch a treehouse atop it for a few years?

THanks

David

John Paul Sanborn · Jul 22, 2010

There is no way to make a snag safer for children to play on for the long term. I would make the tree house on stilts that are structural, and have the log as an decorative accent.

The rot in the log it'self is not the issue, but root rot that will cause it to become unstable.

Lawnmowerboy48 · Jul 22, 2010

Continual staring at the rot will slow it down. Build the tree house at six feet with proper structural footings that are not attached to the tree and you will be left with a two foot tall table that can be capped.

pdqdl · Jul 22, 2010

Build a containment tank around the spar and then pressure treat it. CCA lumber lasts a long time!

BC WetCoast · Jul 23, 2010

They'll get tired of it in 2 years and then you can take it down.

pdqdl · Jul 30, 2010

:spam: !!

How does one report this stuff?

Lawnmowerboy48 · Jul 30, 2010

Come on I gave a legit answer...I do like the idea of the pressure tank.

treeclimber101 · Jul 30, 2010

Fill it with CONCRETE that usually works for rot

sgreanbeans · Jul 31, 2010

I am currently working on a deal where I am gonna help a crane company remove a tree house from a 25ft Oak. The tree house is awesome, air and electricity, real nice stair case, the whole nine yards! More for adults than kids. Guy put about 10g's into it, Only to have his insurance company demand he take it down, or they will cancel his insurance! So be careful, hate to see you do the work only to get told to take it down!