skip to main content

Lawn Care Woodworking Trees

Oak tree thoughts

last year

Hi all! There are some beautiful trees on the property of the home we moved into a few months ago. There is one large oak tree in particular that really stands out. A couple of months ago I was approached by a young Arborer (late 30s) who told me the tree was about 60 years old and was diseased and he would cut it down for $4,000. We got a second opinion from an Arborer with decades of experience who said the tree was at least 100 years old and that there was nothing wrong with it and did not need to be cut down.
There’s something special about this tree and just want to learn more about it if possible. If there’s anyone out there with extensive Oak knowledge, I’d love to know your thoughts!
I posted some pictures as it is right now (it’s very damp and wet here) but can post more once this year’s leaves come in. I wish the pictures did justice, it’s really a beautiful tree.
For reference, it’s at least 40 feet in height and the very base of the tree is between 4 and 4.5 feet in diameter.

Featured Answer

cecily 7A

last year

last modified: last year

"I was approached..." In my suburban neighborhood men with chainsaws go door to door offering to trim or remove trees. Do not hire these guys, they don't have insurance and are not trained arborists. Anybody can call themselves a "tree service" - look for an ISA certified arborist to appraise your valuable tree.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
last year
Where are you located? Is that a hole in the trunk? If so, that is NEVER a good sign. As a matter of fact, it’s a sure indication that the interior of the tree is rotten, dead.
BillMN-z-2-3-4
last year
Always make sure that you use an ISA certified arborist. They can give you more than just an opinion.

Oak trees can live for decades with a certain amount of interior rot, that's where old hollow oak trees come from.

The older gentleman was closer with his estimates than the younger imo.

Do it right and you'll have the peace of mind associated with that.
Related Discussions
Shrub/tree grows understory to HUGE oak trees
Q
Comments (2)
thanks joe. can u also give me some advice on native plants that would grow well in this plant community? we'd like to add some more natives to the landscape. we've slowly been removing the ivy that previously covered the area, so we'd like to replace with some sort of tall grasses or groundcover that grows well in shade. for reference the existing plants in our community are coast live oaks, coffeeberry, willows, poison oak, blackberry, etc. thanks i appreciate your help! -a
...See More
Pruning Wound Closure in Oak Trees - Oak Wilt
Q
Comments (4)
From texasoakwilt.org... - Always paint fresh wounds on oaks, including pruning cuts and stumps, with wound dressing or latex paint immediately after pruning or live tree removal at all times of the year. - Clean all pruning tools with 10% bleach solution or LysolÃ¢ÂÂ¢ between sites and/or trees. - If possible, avoid pruning or wounding of oaks during the spring (currently defined as February 1 through June 30). Reasons to prune in the spring include: a) To accommodate public safety concerns such as hazardous limbs, traffic visibility or emergency utility line clearance. b) To repair damaged limbs (from storms or other anomalies) c) To remove limbs rubbing on a building or rubbing on other branches, and to raise low limbs over a street. d) On sites where construction schedules take precedence; in this case, pruning any live tissue should only be done to accommodate required clearance. e) Dead branch removal where live tissue is not exposed. - Pruning for other reasons (general tree health, non-safety related clearance or thinning, etc.) should be conducted before February 1 or after June 30. - Debris from diseased red oaks should be immediately chipped, burned or buried.
...See More
Free Oak Trees & Oak Seedlings
Q
Comments (4)
I have more oak and hickory seedlings and trees in the ground than I know what to do with. A few years ago I offered them for free to a friend who has a landscaping business, but nobody wanted them. .
...See More
Oak tree ID: Is this a swamp white oak?
Q
Comments (10)
if i had to do it .... i would get a pot.. and some cactus mix.. and transplant it ASAP ... and get it accustomed to the pot.. before the long drive home. and then i would put the pot in full shade and not plant it in mother earth.. until the leaves fall off ... trees do not like regular high peat media... it can hold too much water .. they like a drink and near total drainage ... even to be dry for a day or two .. before wetting again .... but in a small pot.. dont let the pot get too hot.. nor too dry.. while holding the plant over ... even if you have to stick the pot in the soil.. to temper august heat ... but dont shock it twice.. by digging it up.. then transporting it .. and then immediately replanting it... wait.. thats three shocks... and on the drive home.. no stopping for 12 afternoon drinks.. and leaving your pet tree in a closed car on the parking lot... crikey.. traveling with plants is worse than kids.. you just cant leave them in a closed locked car ... lol ... make sense...?? someone else can ID it for you .. but why not practice regardless... good luck.. let us know how it works out ... ken ps: i was told .. long ago.. its hard to ID oak babes.. as mature leaf form is better for ID ....but it sure does look like a swamper to my untrained eye ....
...See More
bengz6westmd
last year
last modified: last year
Rhizo, the "hole" is an outward projection producing shade.

White oak. They can survive with some damage for quite a long time. Unless there are alot of branches dying (not leafing out), there's no reason IMO it won't live as long as you're in the house. Obviously, tree-cutters want to cut trees.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last year
take a 6 foot shovel... common spade is such ... .lean it against the tree .. then back up and take a pic of the whole tree. ..

then you have your scale leaning against the tree.. and can multiply it out.. i might think its much taller than 40 feet ...

never trust a guy who knocks on your door and offers to do anything for 4000 dollars ... really.. unsolicited???

where are you.. big city name ...

if and when you decide you need work done ... get at least 3 quotes .. demand to see insurance info ... and make sure everything is in writing ...

and do pay an ISA tree doctor ... for an opinion on this tree ...

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=isa+arborist&ia=web

ken
charles kidder
last year
I've had people knock on my door. It was winter and things were slow, so they were looking for work. They made some suggestions that I agreed with for the right price and they did the work fine. I was getting rid of trees I didn't plant and I didn't want. Not because they were in danger of falling.
AnnKH
last year
last modified: last year
That is a lovely tree, with lots of character!

I once had an arborist knock on my door - he was working in the neighborhood, and noticed a large branch of an ash tree hanging over the driveway, and asked if I wanted it trimmed. We had several large trees with dead branches that we couldn't get to, so I asked him to clean those out as well. He worked a day and a half, including hauling away the branches and raking the yard. The trees looked great when he was done, and he charged me what he quoted.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES What to Plant Under Western Native Oak Trees

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Keep your tree healthy by underplanting with ground covers, grasses, perennials and shrubs that thrive in dry summer conditions

GARDENING GUIDES Tree Care: Common Tree Diseases and What to Do About Them

By Falon Mihalic

Learn to recognize trees that may be affected by diseases or pests so you can quickly take action

THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE Double Take: What’s Happening Around That Tree?

By Becky Harris

Wood-trimmed concrete pavers highlight a stately oak at the entrance to an International Style home by Ralph Rapson

BEFORE AND AFTERS Screened-In Porch and a Deck Under the Oaks in Minnesota

By Becky Harris

An architect opens up views of Minnehaha Creek without disturbing the property’s mature trees

GARDENING GUIDES Celebrate Eastern Oaks for Wildlife, Longevity and Seasonal Interest

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

There might not be a more important tree to have in your eastern U.S. landscape — if you can fit one in

TREES Houzz Call: Show Us Your Favorite Fall Tree

By Becky Harris

A towering golden oak? Flaming sugar maple? Please share a photo of peak autumn color where you live!

TREES Great Design Plant: Southern Live Oak Offers an Unbeatable Canopy

By Falon Mihalic

Keep it dense or prune it for more light. No matter how you grow Quercus virginiana, it’s a majestic addition to its native landscape

ADDITIONS Houzz Tour: Tree Respect Drives a Dynamic Modern Addition

Protecting a heritage oak calls for creative thinking, and this Texas home shows the successful result

CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS Great Design Plant: Coast Live Oak

The stuff of legends and memories, this California tree is one to build a whole landscape around

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Cork Oak

By Annie Thornton

Witness an incredible renewable resource being grown while lolling in the abundant shade of this expansive, ever-popular tree

Sponsored

1 Review

Industry Leading General Contractors in Columbus

More Discussions

Transplanting a stewartia Japonica?

4

Enormous silver maple

3

Bursera Fagaroides?

4

Paw paw seedlings or cuttings

6

Oh no, tree leader broken off

11