if not the upper branch with extra sugar will explode with a big bang
LOL
i will have to watch out for that next time i air-layer
Not only the bark is dried and dead, but the wood under the bark are also dried and cracked.
So there is no living layer to transport water and sugar at this surface.
i didnt know how deep you probed into it.
i was guessing that there must be some amount of water going back up
to support the growth on top.
i would think even a few cells wide (left alive) would work, since it can work 24/7
but, if that is the case, i dont know if it can get bigger ?
once the upper growth is so large, the part left alive can not support it...
i dont know if a POM can create new growth inside a dead trunk
it sounds doubtfull to me.
Ive never had a large POM, but, i have several that are 3-4 ft tall
im kinda surprised it didnt send up new growth from the roots...
they often send up growth from the root, or maybe its just the base of the trunk
i hadnt looked that closely.
part of me thinks you should add N rich fertilizer
the other part says , NO, it would make it grow too fast and cause problems.
maybe a root-growth hormone ?
I had planted my largest POM in a spot i now realize was too low,
and wish i could add 3 inches of soil, im getting ready to buy some anyway.
i guess its a no-go... LOL