Problem with 2 huge oak trees

[Baseballjunkie6]

HOUSTON area. I have 2 huge oak trees I am worried about. On the 1st first one (first 3 pictures) I just noticed an area where the bark is falling off. The leaves on a few of the branches of this tree also look sick. Some have holes in them and other leaves look like they are dying. The rest of the tree and branches/leaves looks normal. Any idea what is happening to it?

The second tree (last 2 photos) has damage at the bottom. Looks like some type of insects have taken up residence and damaged it. Any idea what and what can I do about it?

 

[Steve-o]

The first tree looks like it’s suffered damage or disease in the root system on that side. There doesn’t appear to be any callous wood attempting to contain the wound. What does the root flare look like? Is there manufactured landscape on that side? The second tree has definitely had some mechanical damage to the roots on that side and the root flare is rotten. It looks like carpenter ants have moved in to take advantage and make their home in the dead wood.

 

[Baseballjunkie6]

Thanks Steve-o for replying! The root flare looks pretty good actually. No landscape around it. It is the middle tree in the distance of this picture. Any suggestions on saving it?

Is there any chance of saving the 2nd tree? I believe you are correct as I have seen ants in it in the past. I’m really hoping to save it. Since I have taken over the yard work from my ex-husband I am just now noticing these issues. I have 2 acres to keep up now and it‘s a lot of work that I am now learning all about.

 

[Steve-o]

@Baseballjunkie6 just note that I am NOT an arborist or play one on TV, but read a lot about trees..
That said you should consult an arborist or someone in the know (university nearby with a forestry program, cooperative extension in your state, etc) on these. It could still be solid and may last for years or could have a rapidly progressing disease like oak wilt and won't last the season. Same for the second one. If the rot is extensive enough for ants, then it could extend into the roots and a good part of the stem base.
I'm sure others here in the Treebuzz brain trust can give you better advice...

 

[southsoundtree]

Call a professional for a consultation and teaching you about what your trees need.


Mostly, this has to do with potential damage. If these trees falls, can they hit anything?

 

[cerviarborist]

Hire an ISA arborist in your area to do a paid site visit/consultation. Make sure that you're hiring someone with a strong background in plant health care, as opposed to a service that specializes primarily in pruning and removals. The base of the second tree seems to have been adapting to whatever caused the decay by putting on a lot of compenstory wood. That's good. It's going to take more than looking at a couple photos though, to get an idea of what's really going on dynamically between your trees and the site they're growing in. Good luck!

 

[MA Arborist]

Looks like old mechanical injuries on both oaks. A few small holes in the leaves won’t hurt the tree. Be sure to monitor The leaves daily for defoliation.
As said by other members, get a certified arborist to come by for an assessment