Question about an Oak Tree stump.

[Bill]

I'm planning on having a large oak tree, 1 1/2 to 2 foot Diameter, in our back yard removed but was considering leaving a few feet above the ground for a 'stump' house. We were originally going to put a tree house in this tree but due to the size and the fact that it overhangs our powerline, not to mention that it started going balistic in it's acorn production 7 years ago and is destroying our lawn, have decided to take it down. I did promise the kids a 'treehouse' so it will be a 'stump' one instead, maybe, my question is can anyone tell me how long will a stump survive intact. I mean if it'll rot out from under the playhouse I'd just as soon get it ground below the surface and put up something else. If it'll stay sound for 8 or 9 years I think I'll try it since by then the girls should have outgrown it and I can then get it ground down. Any ideas?

Bill

[symplastless]

Good question

The heartwood (that is a heartwood forming tree) if the trunk is not hollow, in my view, could last 200 years if conditions are right. Remember wound dressing does not stop decay. The bark would sloth in a couple of years and the sapwood at the time of death will begin to decay. Again it depends on the history (wounds) of the trunk when it was growing that will determine the rate of decomposition. I wish I could take a look. I have some pictures of some art I will try to post to a temp site.

Sincerely, John A. Keslick, Jr. Arborist

Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology. Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us that we are not the boss.

[symplastless]

Heres the art I mentioned. maybe linseed oil or hemp oil could be applied.

John A. Keslick, Jr. Arborist Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology. Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us that we are not the boss.

[symplastless]

Bill

You could also inoculate with shitake mushrooms. You would drill and put plugs into the sapwood at the time of death to the tree. It may take a couple of years.

John

[Rick F.]

What happened to the wood that was cut up? If the tree has not had pesticides on it, any friends that do BBQing might want the wood -- it's great for smoking meats! I got a few stump pieces from a friend that had an oak tree removed and it makes fine smoking woods.. Sorry for being a bit OT!

[symplastless]

Rick

I agree with you on the pesticide issue. In addition to what you stated. Too often people inject and use systemic on trees. I would not want somebody using that wood for smoking.

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