Would you bother retaining/managing the decline?

[benedmonds]

Oak tree in the front carpark of a nursery, declining slowly as Oak do.

What would you advise?

[Paul Melarange]

What is the extension growth like? Tis a shame about the Tarmac right up to the stem, but I'm pretty certain that's not going to change anytime soon!

[Woodcrafter]

No target risk would be too high. It would be advised to fell from me.

[ReubenHayes]

From the photos and a little bit of second guessing I can see an Oak tree with the central leader removed sometime in the past. Tarmac around the base of the tree, also there is no flairing from the tree so likely build up of levels sometime ago. Ganoderma growing out from the main stem, branches over the bin storage area and main gates to the building (more of a guess). Also is that a salt bin in the back of the photo?

 

Given that its close to the road with so many defects there are two options, reduce the tree and return each year to remove deadwood and safety check, this will be a huge cost and untimely you are just managing its decline.

 

Or remove the tree now, increase the planting space and plant a new Oak tree. I would suggest placing the rubberised material over the tree pit so more of the space can be used.

[MattyF]

No pics of overall crown to see its health and vigour so can't really give an opinion.... But I've seen plenty of veteran oak with worse decay managed sensibly.

[treeseer]

No pics of overall crown to see its health and vigour so can't really give an opinion.... But I've seen plenty of veteran oak with worse decay managed sensibly.

 

Right, plenty.

 

There's no reason half that tarmac can't come up.

[Stephen Blair]

Fell, it's a scabby Oak on the edge of a street where kids play.

It's too late to save the lovely local landscape now and 1 old butchered oak doesn't make up for all the urban development .

[treeseer]

"Scabby"? That's a new entry into the arborphobic lexicon.

 

Kids play there, so...they prefer no trees around? Quite the contrary, methinks.

[Lee Winger]

Lift tarmac, aerate, root drench with syrup of molasses. Keep fingers crossed

[David Humphries]

Fell, it's a scabby Oak on the edge of a street where kids play.

It's too late to save the lovely local landscape now and 1 old butchered oak doesn't make up for all the urban development .

 

Shade is an often an under emphasised and important attribute that trees like this one provide (even here in cloudy UK) Particularly on sites where children work and play.

 

I think (dependent on the outcome of a decay and dysfunction assessment) the tree (if structurally sound enough) should be managed to maintain the benefits that it provides.

 

Removing it and replacing with a young tree will not benefit the current (or next generation) of young people in this learning environment.

 

Give it a tap with a sounding hammer

 

 

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