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My tree looks sick - what is this?
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Posted by zirconx Nebraska (My Page) on Sat, Oct 31, 09 at 21:16
| I am buying a house, and the trees in back don't look too good. Any idea what this is?
Picture here: http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5172/treesmaller.jpg
There is this weird crease in the side, going vertically along the trunk. And there is some white stuff in there too.
Thanks. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: My tree looks sick - what is this?
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| I'll guess its a pin oak. Normally a very sturdy yard tree. Something's definitely wrong with the trunk on that one. If it were a maple I'd guess sun split. If it were lower I'd guess yard equipment damage. Still its trying to seal over some wound. I'd assume the white stuff is part of the rotting process. Obviously I wouldn't not buy the house because of it. You still have a small tree that's easy enough to replace. I'd say say replace it because Pin Oaks get big, this one has an obvious trunk defect, and it isn't soo big its irreplaceable. |
RE: My tree looks sick - what is this?
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| I don't know what your soil conditions are, but pin oaks do not like alkaline soil. For some reason I have never figured out how to open jpg pictures. It is also possible that the tree is planted too deeply. |
RE: My tree looks sick - what is this?
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- Posted by jean001 z8aPortland, OR (My Page) on
Mon, Nov 2, 09 at 13:14
| The damage occurred quite some time ago. The white stuff is evidence of a wood rotting fungus which is decomposing only the exposed & dead wood visible in the wound. That area will be a weak spot for the tree. It's likely to break there years later, when you least expect it. As has been suggested, the tree shouldn't affect any decision as to whether or not to buy the house. If you do buy the house, the tree would be easily & inexpensively replaced. |
Here is a link that might be useful: click here for OP's image
RE: My tree looks sick - what is this?
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| If that's a relatively new development, with a sprinkling of older (original to the site) trees on it....I'd bet that your tree is exhibiting the kind of construction damage caused by the careless removal of tree groupings. Trees that are used to growing in a community often suffer from extreme scald once exposed. Add that to the typical construction damage caused by soil compaction, etc., and you've got sick trees. |
RE: My tree looks sick - what is this?
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| you start by saying treeSSSS then show a pic of one tree .... are there others with problems... this problem is solved by buying 10 dollar tree saw.. and cutting it off at ground level ... then dripping some stump killer or roundup on the stump ... and if you want some trees.. come back early next spring.. and we can give you some ideas ... depending on what you want to do in your backyard .... if you care to try to save this tree.. i would take a blade and cut off all the loose bark [careful work with a razorblade] .. up to the point where the tree is healing itself over ... stuff can get trapped behind the old bark and decay over the years... once the wound is cleaned up.. with more air getting in there.. and sunlight.. it ought to heal it self over.. or wall off as brandon likes to say.. in a couple years.. someone else will suggest a copper sulphate spray for the rot issue .. I THINK ... since its a small tree .. you basically have years before you will have to pay to have it removed.. it isnt threatening the house.. or anyones life ... frankly.. ignore it in regard to home buying decisions ... and we will deal with it later, if need be ... and good luck with a new house ken PS: killing the grass and adding a 5 foot mulch ring sure wont hurt .... |
RE: My tree looks sick - what is this?
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| Almost certainly too late for the tree to effectively seal off that wound, and definitely too late for the copper fungicide. It might have been a great idea a few years back, before the wood started decaying. Now the best solution is the "10 dollar tree saw". |
RE: My tree looks sick - what is this?
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| That might be staking injury as well, hard to tell with info provided. Common with a certain type of developer and landscaper (homeowners are not exempt from causing this injury either, and this should cause you to look at the house carefully for other such defects/oversights/shortcuts. And I agree that the tree is easily replaced at this stage, which should be done and get it over with. Dan |
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