Sick Oak Tree **Help**

[RGWoodConcerns]

Located in the Hudson Valley- NY-We have a very large 75+ year oak tree in our front yard. It is dying at the top showing browned or no leaves in certain portions. In addition, a section of the lower bark is coming loose with carpenter ants, smaller ants and eggs living in the dead wet bark. I try to remove the dead bark as much as possible to prevent moisture collection and rot. What can I do to save this tree?

 

[GilksTreeFelling]

i hate to say it but i think that tree is on its last legs, obviously i am not there in person to see it first hand. from the pics posted i would look at removal in the very near future.

 

[RGWoodConcerns]

i hate to say it but i think that tree is on its last legs, obviously i am not there in person to see it first hand. from the pics posted i would look at removal in the very near future.

Lac Balsam wouldn’t be a good measure for Bark / trunk protection?

 

[RGWoodConcerns]

The back side is very healthy as is the wood under the bark missing

 

[ATH]

how deep into the trunk does that rot go?

 

[-PA-]

Hard to be definitive in diagnosing without being onsite, but it does look like Oak wilt.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Remove it,,
Jeff
It was a beautiful day!

 

[Hedgeking]

Hey
RGWoodConcerns
make sure that they are wood ants, and then find out where their nest is. Look for ant path and see where the ants go when they pull food to their nest. Remove the rotten wood that the wood ants have eaten away and contact an experienced professional to repair the damage. Finally, you will need a special powder to attract ants to remove the ant’s infestation. In most cases, it’s a good idea to hire a professional pest repellent to prevent damage to your wood from taking on even higher proportions.

Preventive measures against carpenter ants

• Once the wood ants have been fought, there are many steps to ensure they can’t return:
• Make sure fallen food or drink is cleaned up immediately. Leave food around as an invitation to ants to pull up and join the buffet in droves.
• Remove damp and rotting wood. Wood ants love the moisture and the softer the forest, the more they like it.
• Do not pile wood near your house and prune the branches of trees and shrubs that hang too close to your home.
• Inspect your property and make sure that seams and cracks are closed.
• Remove debris that can be a safe hiding place for wood ants such as compost heaps, leaves, and other vegetation.