Hello,
I'm new to this site and was referred by the ISA. I am not an arborist, but I'm Hoping that someone might have the time to help.
I bought my house 3 years ago, about 25 miles east of Richmond, Va., and I have noticed that the "main centerpiece" tree in the front yard has some sort of affliction. The tree is a big beautiful red oak (possibly black... sometimes I confuse the two) and is approx. 40"+ at the base and is 70'+ in height.
On one side of the tree, the effected area covers about 1/3 of the total circumference of the trunk and spans a height of about 4 feet, beginning at about 18' above the ground... and seems to be spreading upward at apprx a foot a year. I have attached to this posting a composite of 4 photos to help describe the problem. You might even be able to asses the problem just by the photo alone.
I first noticed the larger hole through the bark shortly after I bought the house, which appears to be a very old injury. At that time the hard fungus-looking growth was only just above that hole, within about a foot. Since then the hard fungus-like growth has spread upwards a few feet and slightly outward. As the problem has spread, I have noticed that the bark is seperating from the trunk, as there is a hollow sound when I knock on it. There are also about 20 small holes into the bark, apprx 1/8" - 1/4" in diameter throughout the effected area. Does this sound like some sort of boring insect? Another thing I have seen regularly that makes me think it's a bug, is that on the "shelf" of the larger injury hole, I often see little piles of wood dust, which I am assuming fall out from the space where the bark is seperating.... maybe frass from boring. I cut out a piece of the bark that has seperated from the heartwood, right about in the center of the hollow sounding area, and have found decaying wood that penetrates about 4" deep into the tree before hitting solid wood again. There are a myriad of insects feeding on the decay.
The internet has provided several "answers" that range from statements that insist that the tree must come down, to systemic treatments, to spray treatments, to spraying and then sealing the infected area. I see chlorpyrifos and permethrin mentioned commonly.
We had storms here a few days ago which produced 60mph wind gusts, so I'm fairly confident that it wont topple on its own anytime too soon. As arborists, I'm sure you hear whining about not having much money from people all of the time, and I'm no exception... pretty broke.. but... isnt there something I can do myself to help save this tree?
In any case, if you have any time to look at the attached photo and help me with any advice at all as to what I can do, I would be greatly indebted. I will be extremely disappointed if I cant save the only big tree in my yard.
Thank you very much for your time and any advice you might be able to afford me.
~Adam
I'm new to this site and was referred by the ISA. I am not an arborist, but I'm Hoping that someone might have the time to help.
I bought my house 3 years ago, about 25 miles east of Richmond, Va., and I have noticed that the "main centerpiece" tree in the front yard has some sort of affliction. The tree is a big beautiful red oak (possibly black... sometimes I confuse the two) and is approx. 40"+ at the base and is 70'+ in height.
On one side of the tree, the effected area covers about 1/3 of the total circumference of the trunk and spans a height of about 4 feet, beginning at about 18' above the ground... and seems to be spreading upward at apprx a foot a year. I have attached to this posting a composite of 4 photos to help describe the problem. You might even be able to asses the problem just by the photo alone.
I first noticed the larger hole through the bark shortly after I bought the house, which appears to be a very old injury. At that time the hard fungus-looking growth was only just above that hole, within about a foot. Since then the hard fungus-like growth has spread upwards a few feet and slightly outward. As the problem has spread, I have noticed that the bark is seperating from the trunk, as there is a hollow sound when I knock on it. There are also about 20 small holes into the bark, apprx 1/8" - 1/4" in diameter throughout the effected area. Does this sound like some sort of boring insect? Another thing I have seen regularly that makes me think it's a bug, is that on the "shelf" of the larger injury hole, I often see little piles of wood dust, which I am assuming fall out from the space where the bark is seperating.... maybe frass from boring. I cut out a piece of the bark that has seperated from the heartwood, right about in the center of the hollow sounding area, and have found decaying wood that penetrates about 4" deep into the tree before hitting solid wood again. There are a myriad of insects feeding on the decay.
The internet has provided several "answers" that range from statements that insist that the tree must come down, to systemic treatments, to spray treatments, to spraying and then sealing the infected area. I see chlorpyrifos and permethrin mentioned commonly.
We had storms here a few days ago which produced 60mph wind gusts, so I'm fairly confident that it wont topple on its own anytime too soon. As arborists, I'm sure you hear whining about not having much money from people all of the time, and I'm no exception... pretty broke.. but... isnt there something I can do myself to help save this tree?
In any case, if you have any time to look at the attached photo and help me with any advice at all as to what I can do, I would be greatly indebted. I will be extremely disappointed if I cant save the only big tree in my yard.
Thank you very much for your time and any advice you might be able to afford me.
~Adam
Here in Virginia, the deciduous trees are just now starting to "bud-out" and there is just now beginning to be emergence of new leaf growth... so determining die-back is difficult, but, I have closely looked over the entire canopy and I see new growth coming in everywhere there are branches. Looks healthy so far. Only the very lowest branch, which is about 5-6 inches in diameter is dead.. and I'm thinking that's a natural occurance. Also, the tree has had that lean to the left ever since I got here, and hasnt gone further. I have a way that I check it by standing in the house , looking out a certain window at the tree and lining it up with the vertical frame of the window.
