Hope I got this right........

[Mac McLennan]

I was asked to do a report on an damaged Oak Tree close to a public car park. The tree has been struck by lightning about 10 years ago and kids have subsequently had a fire within the stem.

 

 

It's a great tree with loads of character. But the weight of the crown (particularly the lateral limbs) is likely to be too great for the structure of the main stem (The stem has however put on 'new wood' at the edges of the damage). It's next to a stream and a magnet for kids and swings - and I really did think at one point that it should come down.

 

 

HOWEVER.....I have decided to carry out a reduction of the heavier limbs / Re-shape and carry out Crown Thinning. (Crown thin to be done this coming week).

 

 

 

Hope I got this right.......Only time will tell. I'm sure there is more than a few of you will say that it should come down......what do you think?

[christreeroot]

Well Done Mac

 

Right decision in my opinion

[Mr Ed]

Yep, you made the right decision as far as I'm concerned.

[David Humphries]

Admirable work IMO.

Far too many old character Trees are lost to H&S.

With little or no thought to amenity & ecological values.

Your work here appears to be sensitive to both Tree and public safety.

Is the Tree to be monitored and Inspected annualy?

Can the area be excluded to pedestrians ie moving paths, dead hedging and/or under planting?

[David oakman]

I am sure you are right about the kids and the fire but keep in your mind that when lightning hits a healthy oak it runs down the outside heating up the sap which explodes throwing bark everywhere.when lightning hits hollow oaks it always takes the best route down which is round and round the insde of the trunk and it burns as it goes down leaving the inside black, so in a parkland setting people say this tree has had a fire no usualy a strike in a hollow tree.

[Mac McLennan]

If you look above the passenger transit door there is a young oak which has established itself. It was a mission not to damage it during the reduction.

 

And yes, it is to have a six monthly 'check up'

 

There is a footpath in the target area - But this cannot be moved.

[Ross Winchester]

Good call imo.

[christreeroot]

I have used Qtra to save many old trees that have been marked for the chop.

 

That tree is highly unlikely to fail in my opinion, all you need to do is monitor its overall health..

[David Humphries]

And yes, it is to have a six monthly 'check up'

 

There is a footpath in the target area - But this cannot be moved.

 

Why not Mack ?

[Mac McLennan]

Why not Mack ?

 

It is not a recognised public foot path, but is used by the public as a shortcut between a housing estate and an industrial estate.

 

Here we go.....The owner of the tree (owner of industrial estate) wants the tree down. Kent County Council (who rent the car park next to the tree) do not want to lose it but want it 'safe'.

 

The proviso on the tree staying is my telling 'the owner' that the tree is 'now safe'.

 

If I start suggesting that paths be moved.....I'm sure questions will be asked, and the tree may get the chop.......

 

Thats why I say.....I hope I got this right.