Oak tree cavity

[MAPLE LEAF]

went to see a oak today has TPO on it been in decline for the past few years. Lot of ivy on it. Had a good look for any fungal bodies couldn't find anything. The tree is on a bank and Lhs of trunk is covered 2ft high of soil than the Rhs. found a small cavity at base of tree stuffed full of snails then pushed a screwdriver into the wood in the cavity it was like pushing into a elastic band wood very spongy.

Is this brown rot. Any thoughts on next step

just going through my tree books as still learning.

Inside the cavity was very dry.

Going to go back Sat to have another proper look sorry no pics very tight access to cavity.

Client wants it down. targets house and neighbours driveway.

Good sized tree 50ft plus.

[Island Lescure]

Ask the tree officer from the LA to meet you there so you can get his/her opinion as they will look at it once an application to work on a TPOed tree is sent to them. If the tree is fine, they wont want it to come down but might be ok with some light pruning... In this case, you can send in an application that reflects this rather than just removal. Might be worth it to remove the ivy first to be able to see anything.

[treeseer]

How far is it from the house? Maybe it could be reduced to remove/reduce any perceived threat, and to spur interior growth to enable future reduction.

 

Here's an account of decayed street trees reduced and retained.

 

2 ft of fill on a TPO tree? The officer may well have an opinion on that abuse.

Mature Willow Oaks Managed with Specified Crown Reduction.pdf