Sunday, December 5, 2010

Towering Oak Tree

When we built our house, and later our pool, we picked this beautiful tree to provide us with shade in the afternoon. It was one of the largest trees on the spot we chose to build. We hated to cut any hardwood but were forced to remove some.



Many, many squirrel have built nest and raised in this tree.



A few days ago I walked under the tree and wondered why all of this bark was on the ground......



I looked up and saw bare spots on the trunk. I had noticed a few limbs in the yard but thought it was just due to wind or natural shedding.......



I looked up and realized my oak tree was shedding all of its bark.



I fear that my beautiful shade tree is dying. I don't know why. We had an awful drought this year but would that make a tree of this age die?



I am so sad to lose this beauty. I should have noticed what was happening earlier and maybe I could have done something to save it.








13 comments:

Deb said...

I'm so sorry...it is sad to loose a big tree like that...we have lost so many in the last few years...

Tanna said...

I am so sorry, too... It is so sad to think of something that has withstood so much getting sick like that. I wonder if the County Agent would know anything to do?

Michelle said...

I would inquire with the county agent. Good suggestion. Seems strange that it is losing its bark like that.

Amanda said...

This almost brings a tear to my eye - so, so sad. Please share what you find out about your tree. So sorry, Nanny.

Solar Powered said...

This is so sad. Oak trees are susceptible to disease according to the landscape guy that came to our house once. It was nothing you did. Maybe he can be saved.

StitchinByTheLake said...

I hate to lose a tree of any size or age but death comes to all living things in time. Drought...perhaps. Disease...likely. We lost 2 Mimosa trees this year and I thought you couldn't kill those things! blessings, marlene

tootie said...

Oh no! I hope it recovers somehow!

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Oh, don't give up without consulting with an expert! I would be sad to see this GRAND ole guy go too!

grammy said...

That is sad...wish I had any advice
it is so hard to loose a tree like that
my kids always remember me crying over broken branches during a snow storm...they thought I was crazy (o:

Carol............. said...

How sad about your beautiful and much loved tree.
This happened to me a few years ago with a beautiful Japanese maple tree. Ant and earwigs were eating the tree under the bark and by the time I noticed it it was too late.

Anonymous said...

That is very sad...losing a tree is like losing a best friend...maybe you still have time to save it? Beautiful pictures of this still beautiful tree! :)

Thanks for visiting my blog, I really appreciate the kind comment!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I am so sorry, Nanny.... Call someone (who knows what to do) --and see if anything can be done. That is so sad. Hope they can save your special tree. Keep us posted as to what you find out.
Hugs,
Betsy

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

It's sad to lose a tree--I know because we had to cut one down a few years ago that has been in our backyard almost thirty years. It lost a few big branches in a storm and then disease set in and the whole tree died. I miss it's shade and hearing all the birds that use to visit it.