Oxfordshire Woodland Group

The heavy and prolongued winter rains experienced at the start of 2014 have resulted in a significant number of casualties experienced in mature trees especially those that are leaners or are located in exposed positions. Though generally it is a storm that finishes off a mature tree it is not likely that is the real reason for the failure. Examination of this fallen oak tree highlights the presence of rot in the root plate. The absence of any significant earth ball being pulled up demonstrates that the smaller finer roots have long since given up the ghost and thus the tree's ability to achor itself has been greatly reduced. When the ground softens and the wind blows - timberrrrr !

The larger roots can be seen to have sheared across as a result of tensile failure experienced in the 2014 Valentine's day storm.

The cause of the root failure is likely to be two fold - drought stress and possibly the introduction of water bourne pathogens down, into and through the heart of the tree via persistent dead (knot) branches. The case for expedicious early pruning of hardwood trees is twofold i.e. to improve timber quality and prevent early rot onset.

This oak tree contains a considerable volume of timber but is located at the very top of a woodland hanger where access will only really be possibly during the summer months when the route across the neighbouring meadow has firmed up.

Alternatively the large upper branches, lop and top could be dismantled using a chansaw with the main trunk then being bucked (cut to length) and sawn where it fell using a mobile (Lucas type) saw.

If you would like to extract or convert this tree on site then please contact The Executive Trustee at The Oxfordshire Woodland Group

Ken Hume