Ivy doesn't take anything from the tree, other than a little bit of sunlight. It is only using the tree as a parking space. If there is any still growing on the tree, it means you missed a stem coming up from the ground, its roots are in the soil, not the tree. What to do with ivy depends on where you are, which you haven't stated (though mention of live oak suggests USA). In Europe and Asia, ivy is a desirable native species, valuable for wildlife; in North America it is introduced, and listed as an invasive species. So if that's where you are, you should do the best you can to remove it. Resin

I had the same gameplan back in 2006 when a July storm took down three Black Locusts. I went cheap and had the tree service leave the stumps, planning on trying the high N method. Urea was available at the nearby Hummerts so I thought I had it covered. Fortunately I tried drilling the holes before I bought the fertilizer. I tried two different drill bits and never got more than a 1/2" deep hole. I know Black Locust is known for being a very durable wood so maybe it was the stumps or maybe it was me. Six years later and the stumps are still there, one covered with ivy and euonymous and the other two partially covered with zoysia. So I'd suggest trying to drill the holes first before you spend money on the fertilzer.

Removal wasnt intially an option for me, but when you (and the other half, she refered to it as "letting it die a slow and natual death") put it that way, it makes sense. The tree is spotty all the way around. The only real area it is providing shade to is that back corner(back right in the picture). There arent any other shade trees in the area, so a replacement would definately be necessary. Throwing good money at bad, more than likely. Cutting it down and replacing with a properly placed, planted and taken care of tree may be a great option. Anyone have any ideas on how much it would cost to chop this sucker down and get some fire wood? I could also use some browns for the compost pile, or maybe some nice mulch? Another thing I have to consider is that my city does not like trees being removed An inch of replacement tree for each inch of DBH removed or "30 inch or greater DBH, $50.00 per inch removal" Unless: The tree is diseased or injured to the point it will ultimately expire or no reasonable remedy exists The tree is in immedite danger of falling and no economically praticable remedy exists The tree is significantly endangering existing structures so that its continued presence will ultimately cause damage and no remedy..... In the citys professinal opinion the tree is substantially endangering existing pavement or utility services in a manner that threatens to damage property or life The tree creates unsafe visibility that pruning will not rectify It is found by the city to be in the interest of the general publics health, safety and welfare that the tree be removed. I will be making a call to thecity tomorrow...

what ed said ... the biggest damage will be you and your shovel to the tree roots ...... but the result.. is the trees reaction to grow feeder roots where you cut its roots ... of which.. it will then use.. to compete with the plant in the hole ... [sharpen your shovel.. it really helps when slicing thru tree roots .. and simply move your hole a few inches this way or that.. if you hit anything bigger than a shovel can cut] this is general tree lore ... though oak is one of the easier ones to deal with ... crikey.. a maple will fill the hole with its own roots in one season .. and suck the life out of everything... unless you take care .... most of this is based on my care of my 1600 hosta ... us hosta peeps are tree experts.. on some level ... the real trick.. is to bare root your new plant... plant in native soil which you dug out ... NEVER amend the hole.. NEVER fert only the hole.. and NEVER water only the hole ... the idea being .... is to NOT encourage the tree to put all its new feeder roots into the hole you dug ... in MI.. i have never heard of not being able to water under an oak ... if that were the case.. i would have to get rid of half my hosta ... anyway.. after planting and one good soaking in ...... broadcast all water .. but do check in drought ... properly mulched.. most of the things you note.. do note need a lot of water... for very long ... see link on proper planting ... good luck and have fun ken Here is a link that might be useful: link