Inserting bromeliads into tree branch cavities

[miamicuse]

I recently had a ficus tree trimmed and there are some rots in some of the tree branches. See the cut end in the image below.

I wasn't paying much attention and a week later I noticed my wife took some of her smaller bromeliads and stuff them into the rotting cavities.

Is that OK? Will it accelerate the rotting?  Is it a bad thing?

I have bromeliads growing in a crotch between two branches of an olive tree but never from a rotted cavity.

[Silas_Sancona]

12 hours ago, miamicuse said:

I recently had a ficus tree trimmed and there are some rots in some of the tree branches. See the cut end in the image below.

I wasn't paying much attention and a week later I noticed my wife took some of her smaller bromeliads and stuff them into the rotting cavities.

Is that OK? Will it accelerate the rotting?  Is it a bad thing?

I have bromeliads growing in a crotch between two branches of an olive tree but never from a rotted cavity.

Won't hurt a thing, and will look great when the Broms. fill out too..  Wood will break down over time regardless of the Bromeliads..  Would add more   ..and Orchids like Brassavola nodosa ( ..other Brassavola sp. / cultivars too ), Laelia, standard, uni-foliate Cattleyas,  Encyclia sp. / vars. where ever you can attach them.

[iDesign]

I agree with Silas that the main suggestion would be MORE bromeliads and epiphites! Or a staghorn fern might look great in the main spot as well :-)

Stock photo for inspiration...

Disclaimer: My background is graphic design not botany... just saying what would look nice.


 

Edited November 12, 2021 by idesign123

[miamicuse]

We do have staghorns and other bromeliads that can be attached, but in general we try to attach it to our other trees and leave this one alone because this ficus is getting out of control with all the satellite trees and interconnected aerial roots that I have been doing major edits every six months for two years now, so we don't know which branches will stay and which will go in the future.

[iDesign]

5 hours ago, miamicuse said:

We do have staghorns and other bromeliads that can be attached, but in general we try to attach it to our other trees and leave this one alone because this ficus is getting out of control with all the satellite trees and interconnected aerial roots that I have been doing major edits every six months for two years now, so we don't know which branches will stay and which will go in the future.

Just food for thought... perhaps attach the bromeliads/epiphytes in a non-commital way. I've seen them tied loosely, or even in pots.

Bromeliads need periodic maintenance periodically anyway. A staghorn fern would be a bigger commitment, but with that flat surface you might be able to mount the fern on a board, and then tie the board to the spot (then hide the board edges with bromeliads).

Just thinking out loud. I kinda wish I had a tree like that to fill with epiphytes (though I'd probably eat my words if the tree was as aggressive as you're describing). Anyway, just some possible ideas. Have fun!