Oak Safety?

[PatrickFirwood]

So I was working a job today doing some small reductions and general hedge work.
 

Upon arrival I immediately noticed their Oak tree has large sheets of bark peeling off from the base, so I decided to mention it to the clients. They told me they had someone out to do a report a couple of years ago, they drilled in to the tree and said it’s absolutely fine, nothing to worry about. (Not sure if the bark was in its current state at the time) 
 

However I’m not so sure, the bark is so loose that you could literally pull all the bark off the whole base of the tree for the first 15ft. 
 

They also mentioned that a couple of months ago there was a lot of fungus around the base of the tree. 
 

Curious if anyone has any thoughts or advise to share? The tree is within 10 ft of their house. 
 

Sorry for the poor quality video, that’s all I got at the time. 

 

 

[Lowestoft Firewood]

Definitely wouldn't want that next to my house. Oak trunk can remain solid for a while but when in decline is likely to shed branches. 

[AJStrees]

Looks like the tree is rotting from the inside. Have seen that occur on oak where the ground levels have been messed about with. But not seen it bad like that tree. 
 

also depending on the fungi, would give an idea of what’s going on. If the tree was somewhere in a field or something then less targets, but right by a house. Seems a little bit odd that a survey would say nothing to worry about. 
 

 

[PatrickFirwood]

Yes that’s what I thought. I’m not sure of the fungi, they said it came and went with the wet/warm weather. It appeared at the base of the tree and along the ground where I imagine the roots run. Not sure if this along with the bark could be an indication of root rot? 
 

The tree was heavily reduced around 5 years ago, still has leaves and growth but it does look a little sparse with some dieback and bark shedding up high on some of the larger limbs.

[Dan Maynard]

Time flies - was it really a couple of years ago? Or maybe 5, or 10? Sounds like they should get them back anyway.

[PatrickFirwood]