Tree Limb – Holding Water

Q: My neighbor’s tree holds water in a limb crotch. Should she drill a hole so the water can drain?

A: Tree experts agree that drilling a drainage hole is a bad idea. The tree is able to “wall off “ the wet area all by itself, with no human help. Drilling a drain hole just gives rot fungi a good route into the trunk. My advice is to leave it alone but keep an eye out for mosquitoes that might breed in the water. You can use a “mosquito doughnut” to keep them away.