On the outside, your tree might look perfectly fine — tall, green, and standing strong through every Kansas City season. But what’s happening inside could be a very different story.
Internal decay, hollow trunks, and pest infestations are silent threats that weaken trees from the inside out. By the time you notice mushrooms at the base or small holes in the bark, the damage may already be well underway. Left untreated, these issues can cause a tree to collapse unexpectedly, endangering your home, your family, and nearby healthy trees.
At Cartwright Tree Care, we’ve seen firsthand how quickly a beautiful tree can decline from hidden internal issues. Whether it’s a hollow oak near Loose Park, a decaying maple in Overland Park, or a pest-infested ash in Lee’s Summit, internal damage is one of the top reasons we recommend professional tree inspection — and, when necessary, safe removal.
Internal rot isn’t always obvious from the outside. It occurs when fungi or bacteria begin breaking down the wood inside the trunk or major limbs. Over time, the structure becomes soft, spongy, and hollow — even if the outer bark still looks solid.
Common signs of internal decay include:
Mushrooms or fungal growth near the trunk base
Soft or spongy wood when tapped or pressed
Cavities or hollow areas inside the trunk
Cracks or bulges in the bark
Dead branches or thinning canopy
Unfortunately, once rot takes hold, there’s no reversing it. The wood loses strength, making the tree prone to splitting or toppling during storms — especially under Kansas City’s unpredictable weather conditions.
Insects are another major culprit behind tree decline. Emerald Ash Borer, carpenter ants, bark beetles, and borers can all burrow deep into the wood, feeding on the inner layers that transport water and nutrients.
Not only do pests weaken the tree, but they also attract other insects and spread to nearby trees, compounding the problem. You might notice:
Tiny holes or “sawdust” near the bark
Peeling bark or sections falling away
Increased woodpecker activity (they’re hunting for insects)
Sparse foliage or dieback at the crown
Once a pest infestation reaches the heartwood, removal is often the only safe solution.
A hollow trunk doesn’t always mean immediate danger, but it does mean your tree needs professional evaluation. Some older trees can live for years with hollow sections, while others become unstable after losing too much internal support.
Our certified arborists can assess how much of the tree’s structure remains solid and determine whether reinforcement (like cabling or bracing) is possible — or if tree removal is the safest choice.
Trees with internal decay or pest infestations often look stable right up until the moment they fail. That’s why early detection is key. A falling tree can cause significant property damage — or worse, injury. Removing a compromised tree before it collapses protects not only your landscape but also your surrounding trees from disease or pest spread.
At Cartwright Tree Care, we’re experts in diagnosing hidden tree problems before they turn into disasters. Our team provides:
Tree health inspections and decay detection
Pest and disease identification and treatment
Tree risk assessments and monitoring
Safe, efficient tree removal and stump grinding
From the neighborhoods near Swope Park to Liberty, Raymore, and beyond, we’re here to keep your property safe and your landscape thriving.
📞 Contact Cartwright Tree Care today to schedule a tree inspection or learn more about our Tree Removal Services. If your tree shows signs of rot, hollowing, or pests, don’t wait — it’s time to act before the problem spreads.