White oak opinions

[kennertree]

I looked at this tree for a customer last week. He called me out to give him an estimate on removing deadwood and any problem branches. While i was looking at the tree i noticed the large wound on the front of it and got a closer look. Around the base i noticed what appears to be a fungus. I think i have identified it as hypoxylon deustum, not real sure though. As you will notice in the pics it is a crusty black charcoal-like substance. He told me he had an addition to the house on the right side of the tree and the contractor cut some large roots to dig the footers. He said this addition was done in 1998. Him and his wife seems to think it has been leaning more in the past few years. My first question is, if in fact this is a root fungus, can this be treated? Of course it all depends on how much of the roots are gone on the side where the addition is. Maybe some reduction cuts can be made to reduce weight on the side oppisite of the addition. Do you think this tree is an accident waiting to happen and a removal is the only route? Thanks in advance. Zack

 

[kennertree]

White oak

Here's a few more.

 

[treeseer]

Good pics Zack and yes you are right to be concerned re root rot. Looks more like Inonotus (a very bad actor)than hypoxylon though.

Step # 1 is to yank out the groundcover and do a thorough root crown examination, then take more pics of that vital area. Wait that's step # 2. Step #1 is to make sure the client pays you for your diagnostic time (including posting on AS)

 

[kennertree]

Guy, thanks for the compliment on the pics. My wife does a good job with that camera. I'll try to get out there this weekend and get a little deeper and see whats going on. If i dont get out there this weekend, I'll get out there first thing next week and post some pics.