Saving an Oak tree

My suggestion would be to hie thee around to your Local Authority Planning Department and find out whether there is already a tree preservation order on this particular tree, some or all of the trees in the area or even a general requirement to regard trees in your locality as an amenity. If none of those apply right now, they may be minded to slap a TPO on that particular tree while further enquiries are carried out.

You can probably check tree preservation orders online. My council provides this service using a suitably annotated map.

John

Spend the money on a proper survey. There are some specialised tests that can be carried out to detect the presence of internal rot.

Just don't sit under it, because there have been situations where oaks suddenly lose a lateral branch weighing a couple of tons without warning. Don't attach any swings to it for the same reason.

Well, I have seen that in the past in some of the local royal parks, when I could see, but of late it seems they are felling and planting new ones instead. It may of course be that the trees are succumbing to a die back problem. If the tree is close to walkways or buildings, then most organisations will go for felling, health and safety and all that. Brian

Yes, but I do not see a couple of thousand an over pricing. I've been quoted that for a large apple tree. Its the time cutting it up or chipping it and carting it away and that in most cases, you need to take the top part off first, or it will hit something if its felled. Brian

The tree is still alive and is in the middle of a farmers field.

Local social media was full of complaints about the cutting back of a old tree in a park near to where I live. What most of those complaining didn't know that a few days before a large branch had departed from the tree and fallen across a pathway.

Trees don't last forever in a safe state. If you ever walk through large woods you will also find that possibly the state of the ground is somewhat unsuitable for trees that have grown too large and a moderate gale will bring them down.

I hope he is not in a *herbage* agreement where he might be required to leave it for the benefit of wildlife:-(

Just think how much he will be paying to have his trees inspected bi-annually for insurance purposes. Acts of God are no longer permitted.

If the tree was in leaf, this can be caused by heavy rain.

FTAOD a Holm Oak (Quercus ilex) is not the same as most other oaks in the UK, such as the English Oak (Quercus robur), Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea) (the only two native oaks), and the Turkey Oak (Quercus cerris), which has been in the UK for about 300 years. For a start, the Holm Oak is evergreen. Whether that's relevant here, I'll let others decide.

Thanks for the advice everyone. It turns out there's no chance of saving it. It's got to go and as Brian Gaff mentioned £2000 seems to be the standard price for the job.