What is a potential downside of using a lag hook in compromised wood?

Using a lag hook in compromised wood presents the downside of making decay detection challenging. When wood is decayed, it loses its structural integrity, which can make it difficult to assess the extent of the damage without invasive techniques. Installing a lag hook can further obscure the condition of the wood because it encourages reliance on the support provided by the hook. As a result, the underlying issues may remain unaddressed, posing risks to both the tree health and surrounding areas.

In contrast, the other aspects mentioned do not directly relate to the consequences of using a lag hook in compromised wood. For instance, while a lag hook does add some weight, this is not significant enough to be labeled as a potential downside specifically associated with compromised wood. Furthermore, a lag hook is designed to ensure it holds, which is its primary purpose. Lastly, the idea that decayed areas will be reinforced does not align with the nature of decay; compromised wood cannot be effectively reinforced by external hardware like lag hooks. Instead, the focus should be on proper identification and management of decay.