Root Flare

[Antone]

So i was in a customers back yard and i noticed this red oak that had an unusually big root flare can anyone tell me about it. ex:what causes it,is it bad for the tree/good for the tree? Any info would be helpful.

 

[Tr33Climb3r]

I am not sure what causes it to be that inflamed like that but its a root flare they are not always perfect...at least it isnt look like a telephone pole in the ground because they raised the grade

 

[tomthetreeman]

That is trunk gall, which I believe is just aberrent growth of cells, kind of like a benign tumor. It often occurs along the trunk, and less frequently at the root flare. We have a big Oak in Roger Williams Park with one just like yours, and recently it started to decay, revealing a completely hollow interior. Here's a funny pic off the internet:

 

[Waldo]

Some of the Acer macrophylums in the downtown portland area do that at the root flair as well. but i dont know what causes it.

 

[robinia]

That doesn't really look like a typical "Elephant's Foot", which is good news. May very well still be decay in the butt though...

 

[Starlet]

i had a tilia do this once, not quite as large it ended up being when the nursery guys planted it they planted too deep and the girdling roots created a swelling around the base.

 

[robinia]

Is that plain old Q. rubra or something fancy? ...just wondering about maybe a graft union???

 

[guymayor]

Tap it with a mallet or hammer--does it sound hollow?

 

[dieselcutter]

If you ever have to take the tree down and it's sound dig around it and save it. Oak isn't as sought as walnut but that stuff can be pretty valuable if you find a buyer wood turners ect!
Hopefully not but you never know.

 

[Antone]

Sorry its taken me so long to get back to yall thanks for all the input ill have to go back and try the mallet tap and yes is just a plain red oak. If we do anything to the tree ill make sure and post what i found. thanks again!(also i thought red oak was Q. Buckleye i might be wrong let me know)

 

[Starlet]

Quercus rubra

 

[macrocarpa]

How do you attach pics as an attachment and in text box?
Me not computer savy.

 

[tomthetreeman]

For posting images as attachments, just use the box at the bottom of the screen. All you have to do is use the 'browse' button, and then copy and paste the image into that box.

For posting images within the text box, you can't use the quick reply box... Well, technically you can, but for the sake of simplicity... Just click on 'reply,' and then below the text box, click on 'image.'

Meanwhile, the image you are posting needs to be online or in an online photo album. Right click on the image, select 'properties,' and then simply cut and paste the url into the box that was provided when you clicked on 'image.'

Let me know if you get all that.

-Tom

 

[Colin]

no its a spanish oak or Quercus Buckleyi. a northern red oak doesn't get down into that temperate zone and he's from texas =-).