Losing an old friend and protector

[f6john]

I am fortunate to still be able to go home. My mother still lives on the same plot of ground where I grew up though the physical house I lived in has been gone for about 20 years. The one thing that distinguished our humble home from any other around were the two giant oak trees on either side of the sidewalk leading up to the front porch. One of them was hit by lightning long before I was born though the scar and it’s devastating effects were quite visible. Those two trees And their massive canopies completely enveloped the small frame structure we called home. No air conditioning was available but between those two oaks and a window fan pulling air through the two bedrooms upstairs my sister and I slept well and comfortably. Quite a few years back the damaged tree had to cut down, and it took a long time to get used to it being gone but once the house was torn down it didn’t seem so out of place.

Now it’s been decided the last tree must come down. It’s dying from the top down. It’s really a sad thing, even the neighbors are upset. These trees are estimated to be over two hundred years old so everyone no matter their age know these trees.

A pic of the tree from a distance to get an idea of the size of the canopy. And it’s not as wide or as thick as it once was as huge limbs have been falling the last few years.



A shot from another angle. The maple tree to the right is 70 years old and a large tree in its own right.



And now for some prospective of size. This is my mother and I standing at the base of the tree over the weekend.




It would take at least 5 or 6 people to reach around the trunk of the tree. A friend of the family is going to oversee taking it down, he has some plans for the wood. If it is usable I want to get a few slabs for myself, maybe a mantle and or a bar top.

In this picture my mother said, I’d be standing in my living room right here.

[Chrisj CMA]

Sorry to hear. You should build something historic with the lumber that will come from that tree

[Jess from VA]

Removing a tree of that size can be very expensive.  It doesn't look like it can fall on any structure, maybe cover the drive with a big limb (or is that a public road?).  

You know, sometimes a tree like that can be completely topped out and trimmed way back, but the central trunk and main limbs (6-12 foot stubs) left intact, and many times it can make a comeback over time and survive.  And doing that can save a good percentage of full removal price (including stump grinding).  And what's left presents very little risk of falling over or injuring anyone, out there where it is.

Arborists argue that tree topping is bad for the tree... a healthy tree (no kidding).   But when the alternative is complete loss of 200 year piece of history, it's not a bad alternative to total removal, especially out where yours is.



I have a couple 25yo crepe myrtles that can grow 10 feet in one year (and completely envelope the pole power line to my house).  I have to get out (and up) there every year or two and hack them way back, and they do just fine (and yeah they are not oak trees).

[Farside]

  It's a shame for sure, still a great looking massive tree. I hate to see the Big Trees taken down. There is an ol' live oak near our home but not in our yard as big or bigger than the one you posted. It looked bad with limbs dying. The lot owners trimmed the giant oak about 3 years ago and it has come back strong. Pruning a tree could be a good thing. Good luck John, great idea making use of the beautiful wood keeping the memory of that massive tree alive. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

I've only been around oak trees that were in NorCal area. I think they are different. The biggest I've seen was only half that diameter. But there sure is something about big trees. I hope you get lots of useable wood. (Your Mom looks great !)

[f6john]

Sorry to hear. You should build something historic with the lumber that will come from that tree

I’m sure something positive will come from it . The gentleman who will oversee taking the tree down is a lifelong friend who has been pivotal in helping my Mother since my father died ten years ago with me several hours away. My preference would be to save the tree if possible, mostly for the local community and future owners of the property but it’s condition worries my Mother so it’s best to let it go.

But there sure is something about big trees. I hope you get lots of useable wood. (Your Mom looks great !)

I agree, and Mother who is 92 would appreciate the comment too.

[hubcapsc]

Sorry about your tree... there's a couple of notable "old homeplace" sized oak trees
right around my neighborhood... the Seneca tornado tore the heck out of one of
them a few months ago. As I drive by, it seems the people who live there are
trying to clean out the large broken branches and maybe it will keep going
for a while longer...

-Mike

[cookiedough]

As long as not costing you an arm and a leg to take down,  I guess o.k. to do it.  But, if in the middle of nowhere not close to people or houses and although dying,  why go thru all the hastle unless like said,  takedown is relatively cheap and have a use for the wood.

I have a 200 year old (who knows really?) is HUGE much like your burr oak tree about 50 feet in my backyard which I share with farmers field in back lot line 1/2 mine and 1/2 farmers but farmer not going to care if it comes down.    It is split in the middle and hollow on one main side about 6 feet down enough to swallow a human being inside I think squirrels live in there.   It also got struck by lightning 12 or so years ago and zapped a main branch on top dead but no way getting it down without a bucket truck and tree company.   Estimates range from 2K to 5K NO THANKS will take chances it comes down AWAY from our home if it did come down the garage would be the most concern thankfully.  One tree company suggested cable tie tight the trunks to keep from swaying and fill up big hole with cement.   I do not like that idea of heavy cement filling up hole at base will cause it to crack even further from the weight.

If I loose the tree,  it takes care of my entire backyard cooling effect and in the house rarely do I have to use the AC in summer unless 90+ degrees out all thanks to that huge old burr oak tree.

[RNFWP]

Had to remove a large oak in the backyard just over 10 years ago. I still miss it... :'(

[The emperor has no clothes]

Had to remove a large oak in the backyard just over 10 years ago. I still miss it... :'(

I'd be pretty nervous felling a tree that big so close to houses. Did you do it yourself ?

[RNFWP]

Was able to hire professionals. Cost a lot and the yard looked like a war zone. 

[old2soon]

        While I rent here I've been here fer awhile now. The front of the house faces due East. In the South East side of the lawn there Was a good sized elm tree-WAS. Lightning strike hit it and ultimately was The cause of It's demise. The shade It Used to provide is Sorely Missed.   Now it looks like a giant sling shot sans the sling. One of my across the street neighbors had to remove a good sized oak couple years back-before my elm got hit. Yeah-lightning and disease and bugs Will git to these fine old shade trees at times. RIDE SAFE.

[RNFWP]

Yes sir...
To live on a small wooded lot in a subdivision the last 20ish years I've had lots of tree trouble but I still love 'em.  I've lost one to lightning, one fell into the street and another fell on the house. One of my neighbor gave up a few years ago and had all trees remaining on the their lot removed.

[Jess from VA]

I bet that didn't buff out.   

[da prez]

  We took down 9 trees on our northern property and sent them to the saw mill.  We have a mantel for the new fireplace , 3/4 tongue  and groove end to end flooring and 3/8 tongue and groove for the ceiling that we vaulted. It is red oak.
 We trimmed back some trees several years ago that have grown more than we removed.

                                            da prez

                                                 

[cookiedough]

risk vs. reward thing removing nice huge shade trees vs. the safety and expense of removing them.  I guess that is why we have home insurance right?    If the massive burr oak tree came down falling east onto our house it would surely hit the backside of our house and do some damage,  more so the garage I think?    More and more limbs come down though from high winds which we get a lot of some limbs enough to knock you out if bonked you on the head.    That lightning strike did one of the main taller branches over a decade ago but the rest of the tree seems to be leafing out still and not dead just that one main tall limb is dead and the bark on southside of the tree is over 1 foot gone the lightning zapped that tree limb on top moving on down the tree to the ground.   If 1 of the 3 main beams break off then for sure time to take the rest of the tree down not looking forward to that expense if had to guess will happen in next 20 years.