Looks like a very unhealthy Northern Red Oak (Q. rubra). Must be in some very compacted alkaline soil? Was there some recent construction adjacent to the tree (last 5 years)?

Yes, the soil is compacted and near sidewalks.. Is that what causes dead ends of branches?

And what about this one...a Texas Red Oak, perhaps?

Here is a link that might be useful: 3 main groups of oaks

Quercus Velutina? They have Velus hairs under the leaf. I know some of the red oaks look so much alike.

First one -- not enough info.

Best guess for the second pic is w/poaky -- black oak. Very dark-green/shiny leaf-tops. Pic of the trunk bark might help.

This post was edited by beng on Thu, May 22, 14 at 10:20