Is my mighty Oak really dying?

[AdamsTrees]

Greetings - my first post.

I have a large Black Oak about twenty feet from my house. Ten years ago I had to put in an emergency drainage tank near the tree and it probably damaged the roots.

Although two arborists have told me the tree is dying and needs to come down, I would like an objective opinion without the influence of $$. I posted a one minute video showing the tree at the Google Drive link below. If indeed the tree is dead or close, how much time do I have before it's a falling hazard?

Key points:

• half of the tree died two years ago; the branches did not produce leaves and black ants were all over the lower trunk. I had those branches removed.
• cracks around the trunk, borers and black ants were present, had the tree treated two years ago
• root rot present

Any feedback is very much appreciated - thanks!
Adam in NY

The sick oak here https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9A7cK0dpREsMUNqd3ZFMS1NNmc/view?usp=sharing
Question about another oak: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9A7cK0dpREsWGZrXzNTZW9DTEk/view?usp=sharing

 

[Oldmaple]

From viewing the video I have serious concerns about this tree. More about the root rot, none about the ants. On site inspection is always better but you have had two already. You can always hire a third party to evaluate (with no ties to the removal work) but I doubt that you will get a different analysis.

 

[AdamsTrees]

Thanks, Oldmaple.

 

[Del_]

The first tree needs to be removed ASAP.

The second tree looks fine from the video.

 

[david1332]

+1 on the root rot
That tree needs to come down asap. the tree is dead for atlEast the first 10 feet of the trunk and a majority of the canopy. You can tell by the color of the wood under the cracked and falling bark. Especially with its proximity to the house

 

[jefflovstrom]

Remove,
Jeff