thefreqofnature
New Member
Hello All,
I live in Orange County, Southern California. I have what I belive is a California Live Oak in the parkway in front of my home. When I came home from work a couple of days ago, I saw that the street and tree was painted for removal and there was a notice on my door saying the tree was going to be removed.
I called the number on the notice and the next day a guy from the city came out and talked to me. He said he noticed a hole in the rootball (I'll try and post photos later) and the tree would have to be removed. I talked to him for about a half hour (nice guy) and tried to talk him out of removing the tree. He said he would talk to his supervisor and get back to me.
Back story...
About 5 or 6 years ago the same thing happened and the guy that came out then said, Ok we wont cut it down but we'll keep an eye on it and if it gets worse then we'll have to take action. That guy is no longer around and there don't seem to be any 'records' about it.
Now...
The tree is very healthy. New growth at the ends, no visible infection. For the last many years the tree has been healing itself.
The area of the hole and local sournding dead wood is slowly being grown over by new wood. Again, I'll try and post photos later.
There have been high winds in the winter the last many years and the tree is rock solid. When I reach into the hole there is dead wood inside that is dry and obviously old. There is very little moisture and I can't find any mushroom/fungus growth in the hole. In fact as I was reaching in, looking for wet or infected pulp, and pulling out dead wood, I accidently found 2 very happy and fat salamanders that I promply put back.
Bottom line...
The tree seems very healthy.
There is new growth around the area of the hole. That tells me the tree is fixing/healing itself. And this has been going on for the last many years.
The tree is rock solid.
But, the city want to cut it down for liability reasions. 'When in doubt, cut it out'
The guy I spoke with is not a, 'I'm a cutter, I'm going to cut it' kind of guy. He says he's an Arborits. We had a good conversation and it seems possible to work with him...if I can prove, suggest, imply, cajole him into not cutting it down.
Here's what I'm thinking...
I want to present to him and or his supervisor, overwhelming evidence to leave this tree be. I want to get some kind of protical or other guidlines or information, from a source he'll find unquestionable, that the situation is salvageable and in his best intrest to save the tree.
I need your help...
What resources are out there that I can use to save this 45 year old trophy tree?
Thank you for your help!
thefreq
I live in Orange County, Southern California. I have what I belive is a California Live Oak in the parkway in front of my home. When I came home from work a couple of days ago, I saw that the street and tree was painted for removal and there was a notice on my door saying the tree was going to be removed.
I called the number on the notice and the next day a guy from the city came out and talked to me. He said he noticed a hole in the rootball (I'll try and post photos later) and the tree would have to be removed. I talked to him for about a half hour (nice guy) and tried to talk him out of removing the tree. He said he would talk to his supervisor and get back to me.
Back story...
About 5 or 6 years ago the same thing happened and the guy that came out then said, Ok we wont cut it down but we'll keep an eye on it and if it gets worse then we'll have to take action. That guy is no longer around and there don't seem to be any 'records' about it.
Now...
The tree is very healthy. New growth at the ends, no visible infection. For the last many years the tree has been healing itself.
The area of the hole and local sournding dead wood is slowly being grown over by new wood. Again, I'll try and post photos later.
There have been high winds in the winter the last many years and the tree is rock solid. When I reach into the hole there is dead wood inside that is dry and obviously old. There is very little moisture and I can't find any mushroom/fungus growth in the hole. In fact as I was reaching in, looking for wet or infected pulp, and pulling out dead wood, I accidently found 2 very happy and fat salamanders that I promply put back.
Bottom line...
The tree seems very healthy.
There is new growth around the area of the hole. That tells me the tree is fixing/healing itself. And this has been going on for the last many years.
The tree is rock solid.
But, the city want to cut it down for liability reasions. 'When in doubt, cut it out'
The guy I spoke with is not a, 'I'm a cutter, I'm going to cut it' kind of guy. He says he's an Arborits. We had a good conversation and it seems possible to work with him...if I can prove, suggest, imply, cajole him into not cutting it down.
Here's what I'm thinking...
I want to present to him and or his supervisor, overwhelming evidence to leave this tree be. I want to get some kind of protical or other guidlines or information, from a source he'll find unquestionable, that the situation is salvageable and in his best intrest to save the tree.
I need your help...
What resources are out there that I can use to save this 45 year old trophy tree?
Thank you for your help!
thefreq