Hole in healthy Palmetto

[Jdical]

Hi All. I had bird put a nice hole in my sabal a couple of years ago about the size of a tennis ball. I filled it with spray foam and then a rubber specticide. I went to check on it to find that the cavity has doubled inside, does not smell rotted, looks like it is composting with a black sludge. The tree is very healthy with nice crown even after the cold winter here in obx, NC. I need to know what to spray inside and what to fill it with if anything?? Suggestions would be awesome. See pics.

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

Clean it out and let it dry out.

[Jdical]

3 hours ago, Jdical said:

Hi All. I had bird put a nice hole in my sabal a couple of years ago about the size of a tennis ball. I filled it with spray foam and then a rubber specticide. I went to check on it to find that the cavity has doubled inside, does not smell rotted, looks like it is composting with a black sludge. The tree is very healthy with nice crown even after the cold winter here in obx, NC. I need to know what to spray inside and what to fill it with if anything?? Suggestions would be awesome. See pics.

3 hours ago, Jdical said:

Hi All. I had bird put a nice hole in my sabal a couple of years ago about the size of a tennis ball. I filled it with spray foam and then a rubber specticide. I went to check on it to find that the cavity has doubled inside, does not smell rotted, looks like it is composting with a black sludge. The tree is very healthy with nice crown even after the cold winter here in obx, NC. I need to know what to spray inside and what to fill it with if anything?? Suggestions would be awesome. See pics.

Here are the pics that didnt get uploaded. I noticed that it had some tunneling up and down and I treated it with an insecticide and noticed a small worm hanging out in there. It does not smell at all rotten. However I just don't think I can leave it open without filling it with something. Has anyone ever filled this type of hole? and with what?  

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

You gotta let it air out and dry. Filling it in will continue to promote rot. 

[RaleighNC]

If standing water is accumulating in the cavity, perhaps you should drill another hole at the level of the cavity bottom to allow it to drain. Or if the cavity does not extend much below the bottom of the opening, you could cut a notch in the entrance for drainage.

[Jamesasb]

could you use lime sulphur to really clean it  then use a strong mix of hydrauic lime and sharp sand to fill it with?. i think the pH of the mix would stop future rot

[PalmTreeDude]

11 hours ago, RaleighNC said:

If standing water is accumulating in the cavity, perhaps you should drill another hole at the level of the cavity bottom to allow it to drain. Or if the cavity does not extend much below the bottom of the opening, you could cut a notch in the entrance for drainage.

I actually really like this idea for if water stays in there. You definitely don't want water in there for long,  rot and palms does not mix too well. 

Edited August 19, 2018 by PalmTreeDude

[Jdical]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I sprayed malathion for a good drench and then let it dry out and drilled the hole for drainage. Found a dead white grub in there this morning. I covered it with an aluminum screen and will see how that goes. The trunk inside is very hard and strong. I’m going to treat it again next week and then spray it with a copper fungicide. Fingers crossed it dried out and that I’ll get whatever was festering on the rot. 

[Jdical]

I just read about filling holes with barbaryl or Sevin and a sand mixture? Anyone ever hear about this before?