This picture shows how close the tree was to the house.
The base of the tree showed big gaps and when the tree person pushed a
three foot long stick into some gaps it went all the way in.
Other places around the perimeter of the tree where he pushed the stick in
it only went in two feet. Clearly this indicates that the tree is quite hollow
at its base.
There was also considerable "saw dust" at the bottom indicating
the work of insects.
View from the back of the deck.