FAQ

Our large Oak tree appears healthy with a full canopy of leaves but is rotting from the inside out, compromising much of the lower trunk. Given its proximity to condominiums, we’re concerned about its stability. Can it be saved, reinforced, or stabilized to prevent potential damage?

It sounds like you have learned one of the basic principles of tree risk assessment. Structure and health are unrelated to each other. Some trees can have a perfectly healthy crown aloft, and yet be severely structurally compromised near the base. In fact, most trees are alive, with lots of water weight and foliar wind resistance aloft, when they fail. If you are the owner of the tree, and are not restricted by any ordinance or removal permits, then you might be able to make this call yourself, by using this general rule of thumb: if you can visibly determine one-third or more of the trunk to be decayed, then you probably should consider having it removed. If it's less, then pruning to reduce weight and wind resistance, or installing some support cables, might be an option. It sounds like you value the tree so it might be worthwhile to pay an arborist to assess it. We would be glad to come out and advise. Click here to schedule an appointment.