popewiz

I am having a certified arborist come out on Monday to take a look. I'll let you guys know what he thinks and maybe you can critique his opinion. Thanks for all the advice.

The Water Oak (Q. nigra) is a hugely popular street tree where I live (Atlanta, GA) and was planted a lot in older post-WW2 neighborhoods. Unfortunately the first of them are starting to die, and every year we lose a few. There are a lot of recommendations that the replacement trees are Pin Oaks, Live Oaks, or one of several other much longer lived varieties.

Lastly, here are a few pictures of the tree's canopy:

Ok, I took a few pictures which may or may not give any further insight. I appreciate all the advice and I am in contact now with a consultant who should be coming around in the next few days. Here is a picture of the fruiting bodies, hopefully I identified them correctly: Here area few pictures of how the tree is situated. As you can see it has grown over the concrete quite significantly. There's also a picture of the roots on the side without concrete.

Thank your for all of your help. As for evaluating the decay, what would be the standard protocol? The company I used to prune the tree earlier this year offers services using a resistograph, is this an appropriate method of determining the extent of decay?

As far as the health of the tree, the foliage is a little sparse, but I'm unsure if that is due to the fungus or the historical drought we've only just recovered from. The leaves are a good size (similar to all the other water oaks), and the tree is producing fruit. There are some branches that fall from time to time (mostly small, < 2" dia.) and I did have a few dead branches pruned out in late winter/early spring this year. As far as potential damage (targets?) the crown overhangs 2 houses, two paths, powerlines, the sidewalk, and the street, so I would say it would almost certainly cause damage if it were to fall.

I have a fungus issue with a Q. nigra (yes, I'm in the southeastern US, hopefully you guys can still help) that has outgrown its planting site. It was planted on the upper part of a terrace within a few feet of the concrete retaining walls on 2 sides. Over time (~50 years) the roots have basically enveloped the top, and to some degree the front, of the retaining wall. On the parts of the tree that are over the retaining wall there are a number of inonotus dryadeus fruiting bodies which I have seen now for the second year (I've only live in house since last Nov.) There is no evidence of the fungus on the tree anywhere where it doesn't contact the retaining wall. I'm wondering if it's possible that the fungus is only feeding on the damaged wood around the retaining wall, or if it is likely a more systemic issue. Any ideas on how I should proceed? Also, I'll try to take some pictures tonight to post.