Large Oak reduction help

[DrewB]

I've been told nzs natives have evolved to use very little mycorrhizae so the soil has a very low content of it. I think it's Te reason you see few fungi in the woods of NZ

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I've been told nzs natives have evolved to use very little mycorrhizae so the soil has a very low content of it. I think it's Te reason you see few fungi in the woods of NZ

 

I will check out that statement later, but I will hazard a guess that it is in error and down more to a lack of study on the subject and a lack of information as to the true extent.

 

Quercus rubra is no native to NZ? so thats really of no relevance at all, more relevant that it is out of its eco system and therefore probably has little chance of finding much natural associations.

 

Find me a forest system free of mycorrhizae

[Taupotreeman]

You drive a hard bargain Ian.

I'll fly economy then....

 

Is a decent heavy standard replant in the vicinity possible?

I think we all know that all we can hope to do is buy the old girl a bit of time, so it would be nice not to plant a 6' whip in her place when the time comes.

 

After (or if?) any rootzone help measures are put in place, would any kind of boardwalk be feasible to lessen compaction, presuming the tree can't be cordoned off?

 

We are looking at replanting further into the park which is currently dominated by Cypress and Birch. Some of these are declining as well so we are taking the opportunity for a long term plan regarding removal and replanting. We are looking at transplanting in some Totara and Tanekaha along with a couple of Kauri. Rather than following on from past planting plans (mainly a whole heap of Pin Oak) we want to put back in what is native to the area. One part of the park is a bit of a wet area so here we are intending to replace the Birch with Kahikatea. As an aside; we are also removing a massive part of regen Pine in Spa park and turning that back in to a native block.

 

As for the board walk; that won't be a go but discussion has started today on gaining resource consent to mulch as far out to the drip line as possible. We have some very well rotted mulch that has been building up at our depot so we are hoping to get the area fenced and mulch as much as we can.

[Taupotreeman]

A few extra shots from today's review.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Good shots, that helps a lot.

 

first thing I noticed is the new reiterated root system forming, sure sign that it is stressed by rooting environment issues, compaction here is obvious and will be the first line of treatment IMO.

 

Looking at the canopy there is scope for drop crotching, and knew there would be, ive reduced a few in my time. The most important thing will be to maintain good activity in the living chanels. Reduce the longer heavy branch back to a lesser branch and leave the lesser branch unless it is possible to leave adequate foliage on it, it will become a new lead and needs every leaf its got.

 

Basicaly we want to FORCE it to regenerate lower down, but gntly enough that it wont die from the shock, the root work will ensure this is far less of an issue, the robustness of the soil will carry it through (water will be important)

 

Ive tinkered with some of the photos-

 

Here we can see the roots re laying over the old, trying to find an aerated layer above in a shallower profile (not a good sign) at 1 we see a hazard beam forming and at 2 a banana crack also forming. IMO these are also signs that the cabling was not needed, as the unions are not failing despite the presence of lever arm actions (hence the body language/cracks)

 

What we can tell from all this is that at some stage a lesser arb came along and said all it needs is a clean out and cabling. yeah and now what? this work should not have been done, rhizosphere managment and a much less dramatic reduction would have been the correct treatments.

 

Now what we need to do is force a growing down, and a flushing of new growth where it has been cleaned out from!

 

The red marks are where I would suggest making cuts, obviously these photos are not perfect for this form of suggestion more from greater number of angles would be better but we have what we have and will do for a good idea. the yellow arrows indicate foliage that will be vital in the process, and must be treated with the utmost care not to damage these during works.

 

I hope this helps?

[skyhuck]

As Stevie would say "fell, fellity, fell".

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

As Stevie would say "fell, fellity, fell".

 

so everytime a client says I want to retain this tree "how can we" your answer and steves is sorry love, fellity fell and replace?

 

I guess there is nowt wrong in being a specialist, you keep offering the removals and pass them my number when they say "no to the fell we want it saved thank you very much"

[Taupotreeman]

Tony, I have a few more photos that I didn't want to over load the thread with and that may be of more use. I'll load them tonight when I finish but the info so far has been a great help. As I say, council will definately not want to lose the tree and will look for every opportunity to preserve it so we need to look at that option first and foremost.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Tony, I have a few more photos that I didn't want to over load the thread with and that may be of more use. I'll load them tonight when I finish but the info so far has been a great help. As I say, council will definately not want to lose the tree and will look for every opportunity to preserve it so we need to look at that option first and foremost.

 

You know I will back anyone up who stands for retention and preservation:thumbup1:

 

you have my ear and time my man.

[DrewB]

I will check out that statement later, but I will hazard a guess that it is in error and down more to a lack of study on the subject and a lack of information as to the true extent.

 

Quercus rubra is no native to NZ? so thats really of no relevance at all, more relevant that it is out of its eco system and therefore probably has little chance of finding much natural associations.

 

Find me a forest system free of mycorrhizae

 

Yeah I Do know that Quercia rubra isn't native tony...the point was more that the volcanic soil is low in mycorrhiza compared to Europe..