Oak Tree loosing its bark

[AllyB]

Hello. We have a huge oak tree in our yard that is loosing its bark on the main trunk. Otherwise, the branches and leaves look very healthy. The exposed wood on the trunk looks healthy as well. What could be causing this? BTW, we moved here 8 months ago and the prior owner said he had an arborist look at the tree in the past and the tree was fine. It has continued to lose more bark since we have lived here.

 

[tomtrees58]

pics help

 

[treeseer]

...the prior owner said he had an arborist look at the tree in the past and the tree was fine. ...

Did the prior owner also tell you there was a pot of gold under the rainbow? Oak bark shedding in the carolinas is often due to a treatable infection, and/or past injury. pics are easy to post here; please do, and welcome!.

 

[AllyB]

I will post pics when I go home tonight. Thanks!

 

[ChrisWNY]

I'm not sure if Swamp White Oaks grow in SC, but it's normal for those to have peeling bark. Perhaps some other Oaks out there share this same behavior, don't know for certain. Photos are definitely worth 1,000 words.

 

[HOGBEAR]

Did the prior owner also tell you there was a pot of gold under the rainbow? Oak bark shedding in the carolinas is often due to a treatable infection, and/or past injury. pics are easy to post here; please do, and welcome!.

Im with you, sounds like an infection.

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

See my sig.

 

[treeseer]

See my sig.

why? i'm all fer gud grammer, but pedantry is a boor.

 

[AllyB]

See my sig.

Wow. First post and already someone is being snarky. I would have never expected it from this website. Thanks.

 

[treeseer]

Ally, the snark is not an arborist; just a freelance scold. please ignore. you are between treeco and i and we and others here know the oaks in your region. if you just pull off the loose bark that comes off easily and take a picture we can offer some ideas.

 

[AllyB]

Ok...here are the pics. However, it is wet outside as it is drizzling and has been raining. Some of the discolorations are actually because of the dampness. Thanks

 

[AllyB]

Have to resize the other pics. Late for work. Will post more later.
thanks

 

[HorseShoeInFork]

:jawdrop:


:agree2:


:monkey:

 

[redoakneck]

I ain't no tree doc but that don't look too good.

What kind of saw do you have to cut it down???


lose, loose, lost we know what ya mean. My Mom was an anglish teecha and always corrected me, didn do no good thoo.

 

[treeseer]

From the looks of the scar tissue, the injury (not infection) is old. That amount of exposed wood is bad--will eventually lead to decay. There are ways to prune and care for the tree to keep it around in a *reasonably* safe condition, depending on your risk tolerance.

When it dries maybe you can get an image of the whole tree. Is it a willow oak? (leaves look like willow)?

 

[happycamper]

looks like it dying

Have to resize the other pics. Late for work. Will post more later.
thanks

looks like your tree is dying

 

[Ductape]

That'll make nice firewood.

 

[treeseer]

Ally, bear in mind that this may be called arboristsite but it's really more of a chainsawsite.

:greenchainsaw:

 

[AllyB]

Yea, Treeseer, I gathered that. I'm just going to get someone from the Clemson extension to come out and evaluate the situation. Thanks

 

[treeseer]

Good luck with the extension folks--let us know what they say, okay? Bear in mind that their risk tolerance is very low since they work for the state, so they will recommend removal often when other treatments are reasonable.

If you still can post pics here, you may hear more than chainsawing solutions.