Lovely old oak needs help

[Oak Tree Poultry Farm]

We've just bought a bit of land and on the boundary is a lovely old oak tree that's just a little lopsided.

 

At some point it appears to have lost its top and as the site is quite exposed & windy, I'd like to have it checked over to make sure that a) it isn't going to drop branches on us and b) that it stays healthy.

 

Any suggestions, or recommendations for North Yorkshire arbs who could help, would be fab.  Thanks!

 

 

[Oak Tree Poultry Farm]

And yes, I know that hedge needs laying too

[Oak Tree Poultry Farm]

Have also discovered an apple tree half buried in leylandii - trunk measures 1.5m in circumference and I don’t think it’s ever been pruned.  It’s going to need some attention but does something this neglected benefit from winter or summer pruning?

The oak measures about 2.6m in circumference. 

[richyrich]

Maybe they're both left without doing any pruning? Although I think oaks do tend to shed a few branches now and then. Bit difficult to say from the photos. The shed doesn't look to valuable?

[Oak Tree Poultry Farm]

The shed is coming down so that’s not an issue.

 

I have just found out that the previous owner tried his best to kill the oak off! He hacked at it, tried to set fire to it and poured engine oil around the base. first job is going to be digging out some soil and seeing how badly it’s contaminated. 

[Dan Maynard]

On 24/04/2023 at 16:18, richyrich said:

Maybe they're both left without doing any pruning? Although I think oaks do tend to shed a few branches now and then. Bit difficult to say from the photos. The shed doesn't look to valuable?

I'd go with this too, if you prune them they'll be different but who's to say different is better?

 

I would cut the leylandii back away from the apple if anything, otherwise it will disappear under the shade.

[Oak Tree Poultry Farm]

Thanks Dan - the leylandii is going, thankfully. I’m not doing anything to the apple or oak this year, I think and will just see how they do once given a bit of room. 

[dumper]

Card board and mulch the root zone would benefit them, don’t dig too deep to remove the oil just top 50 MM let nature deal with the remaining