Oak tree rotting.

[Mountain man]

But if managed sensitively, the owner and the neighbourhood could possibly have a "crappy ruined oak" for another twenty, thirty, forty, maybe even fifty years.

 

 

There's actually no rule that I've ever come across that states that trees really have to adhere to what may be percived as a perfect tree form.

 

 

.

 

In an urban situation something aesthetically pleasing is surely preferable to a hammered rotting oak in decline. (Except perhaps for certain TOs)

In forty years there would be an impressive specimen there rather than some butchered hangover from the development of the cul de sac.

Edited March 13, 2015 by Mountain man

[woodyguy]

I see an oak with character and probably pretty strong with decades of life ahead of it. Don't see a "hammered rotting oak in decline" nor a "butchered hangover".

[Mountain man]

I see an oak with character and probably pretty strong with decades of life ahead of it. Don't see a "hammered rotting oak in decline" nor a "butchered hangover"

 

 

/http://www.specsavers.com/

Edited March 14, 2015 by Mountain man

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

I see an oak with character and probably pretty strong with decades of life ahead of it. Don't see a "hammered rotting oak in decline" nor a "butchered hangover"

 

 

/http://www.specsavers.com/

 

 

That's good! ^

 

Is it only aesthetic that provides "worth" in an urban tree though?

 

At the risk of re-opening a fairly polarised debate from similar scenarios (home owner wants it gone - just fell it otherwise someone else will)

[Mountain man]

I'll think about that for a bit, it'll take some thought.

[Gary Prentice]

I think what everyone is missing is the relationship of this tree within the context of its location. For which there is very little evidence.

 

No-one can deny the durability of oak, as a species, its ability to co-exist with decay organisms, so the potential to retain is generally good. The fact that it's been hammered/topped/butchered/pollarded only means that future management has become more restricted to maintaining it as a pollarded tree.

 

Pollarded trees consequently suffer less loading and require less wood in the residual walls. Based on the photo's, the lack of information on the ident and spread of the decay, the targets, the context of the tree in its surroundings etc how can any reasonable and justifiable decision be made. Surely these are all the factors the TO should make in his/her assessment.

[Mountain man]

Aesthetics should be very high on the list in a garden.

When we (meaning us tree workers) learnt about trees, climbing, reductions etc at college it changed the way we see things, now when we drive round town we look at trees, looking at how they react to pruning, growth patterns, wound reactions etc. I feel like the guy in the film "The Man With X-Ray Eyes" it sends me a bit nuts sometimes!

Now Woodyguy genuinely does see a characterful oak tree because he knows about trees and to an extent he's right, stick it in the middle of a woodland or hedgerow and he can go and look at it all day, but the rest of the cul de sac see a scrappy mess that they don't want to park their cars under or they don't even notice it.

Sometimes we should try to take out our tree workers eyes and remember what the world looked like to us before we learnt this stuff.

[Mountain man]

BTGAZ, nobody is make decisions, just playing the game, practicing if you like, a bit like all the "how much would you charge" threads.

When we're in the mood I think they're a useful exercise.

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

Good points!

 

You're right about the "eyes" thing. Got to go out so can't do a decent reply right now. Brain is ticking over though.

 

Like you also say, we're all just bashing our gums and doing "what ifs", it'll be the TO and landowner that make the decisions.

[woodyguy]

Interesting discussion and now I've got my glasses on I can see clearer!

Two issues really. Firstly is the tree a danger. Influenced by how close to the path and footfall and vehicles near it. If its genuinely dangerous it has to go.

Secondly the aesthetics. Not all trees have to be perfect form flowering cherries. So a pollarded oak with an interesting trunk may well be of interest to many people and not just within a wood.

The problem is that the house holder often uses the first argument to justify ridding themselves of a tree that they don't like. Especially when it drops leaves in the wrong place.

I've got many dozens of oak trees and the ones I value are the interesting ones. In reality they seldom fall over either.