Sick Oak Tree. Please Help

[RGWoodConcerns]

Located in the Hudson Valley- NY-We have a very large 75+ year oak tree in our front yard. It is dying at the top showing browned or no leaves in certain portions. In addition, a section of the lower bark is coming loose with carpenter ants, smaller ants and eggs living in the dead wet bark. I try to remove the dead bark as much as possible to prevent moisture collection and rot. What can I do to save this tree?

 

[treeseer]

Looks like a bad site for advice. Still got the tree?

 

[Stephen Meister]

Looks like a bad site for advice. Still got the tree?

It would be nice to see how this turned out.

 

[beastmaster]

If the tree is still standing I would carefully dig around the roots and probe with ice pick for rot and decay.
Have you observed any mushrooms or conks growing around the trunk. Look for white strings in the soil and on the roots as you lightly excavate and inspect the roots. And remove that grass away from the trunk.