I’m learning valuable knowledge from your channel Blair. As a production tree worker with a large company, I often miss the whole process of evaluation, which is handled by sales arborists. Usually I see a work order, and imagine the evaluation process, while surviving amid production pressure and chaos.
If you are looking for ideas: In my area such trees have been prescribed height and/or end weight reduction along with some liquid treatments like growth regulator & fertilizer.
You are exactly who I am doing these videos for. Am I always right? Of course not! But I try to present the questions that may help lead to good results. Production pressure is a big problem with larger companies. ie. “We only have 125.00 each on these trees so only spend a half an hour on each tree”! In those cases the pruning “rush” is not the best for the tree. I often see a quick chainsaw prune that ruins a tree but the clients don’t know the difference. We do most of our jobs based on time. I’m not rushed so I can do what I feel is right. Not over doing it but I need to feel that L am proud of my work.
@@timeorspace many large companies have a sort of scam going. Fertilize so the tree puts out too much growth. That fresh foliage attracts insects so sell a spray service. Tree needs pruning more often because of excessive fertilizer so that keeps the cycle going. Think about the tree’s needs first. Pushing a tree to grow faster than it should causes excessive weight and failures. Also, really know the species you are working on.
I’ve also held some skepticism regarding the whole of “liquid services”….whats wrong with mulch & compost? My first month on the job I asked my boss how much of that fertilizer actually ends up in the tree. I’m trying to open myself to liquid services, and my company seems to be adopting the best possible practices. This year, I was thrilled to learn somebody much higher in the company decided on a huge budget cut for fertilizer, because the agricultural dose on the packaging is far in excess. Arboriculture is a strange niche within civilization-terms like wildlife management and urban forestry are oxymorons. At times I struggle with the insanity of western civilization, and I could make a great Engineer, but trees are more important to me. Like the national park service, I’m motivated by the cultural aspects of my work- I find ways to justify almost anything which can inspire and educate nature, including increasing the value and presence of urban trees. Like western medicine, I was told growth regulator suppresses growth, to counteract the effects of fertilizer (Like taking blood pressure meds and Viagra at the same time) -what a funny world.
Always hard to diagnose from a video Blair, but I think your client is at a critical cross roads for saving the tree if it is saveable. I agree with your approach, but would add to your prescription. As you said, here to make the tree happy, may not make the client happy. That canopy density with whiteish gray bark is a REAL BAD sign for me. Especially with the last two years of good rain. I would get Arbormulch down on every inch of exposed soil as thick as practical with a watering system underneath it asap. No changes to the yard & monthly monitoring at least through summer. Good luck with this one, please keep us updated. BTW loved your recent removal series. You have always been the man for props. Well done!
I agree, that's a lot of weight hanging out over the roof of the house, and eventually it's gonna come down. Pretty tree, but in my experience most of the oaks that I harvest on my property as standing dead wood are generally about 80 years old. Hmmmm!
Some new homeowners in my neighborhood just had 3 very large araucaria bidwillii's cutdown that were absolutely amazing. It really still bothers me. You hardly ever see them and when you do a lot of the time someone ends up having it cut down due to the large cones, sharp foliage or whatever reason but I really love those trees a lot.
@@arboristBlairGlenn About 6 years ago I bought a large amount of seedlings off of someone and now they are about 5 to 6 feet tall. I have been planting them around my neighborhood in the parks but there are so many gophers everywhere I had to put that on hold. I was thinking about the gopher baskets but I don't want to put them back where there are gophers. They seem to really love the roots on a young bidwillii. Now I cannot find anymore seedlings or seeds anywhere unfortunately. I wanted to keep putting them around. I go buy and water them and check on them while they are being established. If it weren't for this gopher nonsense it would make it a lot easier. I think gophers are taking over the entire area of San Diego. I see them and their holes everywhere I go and in many of the yards where I work.
I’m far from a expert but I believe that tree has more years behind it than in front of it, looking forward to follow up videos and ur opinions on the tree future
Hey Blair, Local arborist to the area as well! Love seeing all your videos, and instructional content. Looking forward to seeing the plan fold out. Keep up the excellent work!
Thank you for your knowledge/experience, Blair - sharing the pluses, minuses & options in addressing all the issues here. Arboring an art for sure! Big visual payoff if done right early on...a feast for the eyes & heart ♥ 🎄 ❤
We have a gigantic live oak in our backyard with a well in the center of 6 sub trunks and it fills with water every winter/spring here in San Diego, CA. I found the best method to clean it out is a 5hp wet/dry vac! It really was amazingly good at sucking out all the debris, dirt, water and all.
I'll never understand why folks think leaving those big cuts open is a good idea. I've heard talk about how coating them with some kind of pine tar or the like will just trap moisture in the cut, but that's kind of the point. I've never seen a tree scab over a larger cut before rot set in. Trees don't grow that fast, but pestilence sure does! Even a scar only 1" across can be more than enough to kill the limb, it just takes time. And, honestly, I think that's why people don't paint the cut faces - time. They know that any rot that sets in will be a decade or more before it causes a problem, so why burn the time to prevent that now? Time is money, and customers love a lower price, so not painting the cuts with pine tar or similar is just going to make your bid more competitive.
Study Dr Alex Shigo’s work on tree sealant. It has been proven to be of no value and in some cases the wound does not dry out which speeds up fungus and decay. Very interesting how he confirmed this study.
I am looking at something similar to that crotch . Live oaks in Rockport TX, a cluster of 3 about 16" . They built a wall around them 3 years ago and backfilled with sand 2 foot deep . No suckers except outside the ring . I can borrow a hydrovac for a little exploratory surgery .
For your videos, do you usually get the client's OK before filming? And, in your experience is the patio more often a sign of the tree being planted, rather than someone installing the patio around an existing tree? I see the latter more often (or maybe, I assume the latter more often).
This client said yes but unless I identify the client or the address, no. As for the patio. I’m guessing the age of that brick patio to be about the same age as other oaks I have counted rings on so my age guess is about 70.
Do you think this tree could improve with more irrigation? I don't know how the weather situation is over there, but being California I assume there is a drought.
California is naturally a fairly dry state. This variety of Oak tree does okay in dry conditions. The natural mulch build up over the roots helps protect the moisture and improves the soil. If cleaned up in a yard, the Live oak will suffer. Recognizing that a tree’s root zone is important is hard for property owners who also want to use the space that the tree needs. So, your question about adding irrigation. Sometimes but not generally. Also depends on how the tree developed. If a live oak grew in an irrigated lawn and the owner decides to get rid of the lawn (or put in a plastic lawn, then what the tree adapted to is no longer the case. The tree will decline. Good answer? Thanks for supporting my channel. My daughter is helping me build a merch store at Etsy. www.etsy.com/shop/ArboristBlairGlenn
I had to look up 'Cobra System' being I'm not a tree man. Anyway, those cables look like they'd work just as good or better than the old steel cables. I wonder if Blair has used the newer ones.
As in to back up the old cable before it breaks? I don’t make those kinds of decisions until I feel just how taught (or over stressed) that cable is. In this tree, the horizontal angle is less than favorable.
And an article tree sealant Tree sealant, also known as wound dressing or pruning sealant, is a substance that is applied to the exposed surface of a tree wound intended to protect the tree from decay and infection. The idea is that by sealing the wound, moisture and other contaminants are kept out, which hopefully might help to prevent decay. However, research has shown that sealing wounds with tree sealant is not necessary, and in some cases, it can actually do more harm than good. For example, in certain species of trees, such as oaks and elms maples and birch, sealing a wound can trap moisture and create a favorable environment for decay-causing fungi. In general, the best approach to preventing decay in trees is to promote overall tree health through proper pruning, watering, and mulching practices, and to avoid damaging the tree in the first place. If a tree does sustain a wound, it is best to simply clean the wound and allow it to heal naturally, without the use of sealant.
Your tree evaluation content is priceless, all the questions are such a crucial part. Thank you for taking us along on your discoveries,
I’m glad you are one of the rare folks that finds this stuff facinating! Thanks
@@arboristBlairGlenn Splunge for me as well! Many thanks!
I’m learning valuable knowledge from your channel Blair. As a production tree worker with a large company, I often miss the whole process of evaluation, which is handled by sales arborists. Usually I see a work order, and imagine the evaluation process, while surviving amid production pressure and chaos.
If you are looking for ideas: In my area such trees have been prescribed height and/or end weight reduction along with some liquid treatments like growth regulator & fertilizer.
You are exactly who I am doing these videos for. Am I always right? Of course not! But I try to present the questions that may help lead to good results. Production pressure is a big problem with larger companies. ie. “We only have 125.00 each on these trees so only spend a half an hour on each tree”! In those cases the pruning “rush” is not the best for the tree. I often see a quick chainsaw prune that ruins a tree but the clients don’t know the difference. We do most of our jobs based on time. I’m not rushed so I can do what I feel is right. Not over doing it but I need to feel that L am proud of my work.
@@timeorspace many large companies have a sort of scam going. Fertilize so the tree puts out too much growth. That fresh foliage attracts insects so sell a spray service. Tree needs pruning more often because of excessive fertilizer so that keeps the cycle going. Think about the tree’s needs first. Pushing a tree to grow faster than it should causes excessive weight and failures. Also, really know the species you are working on.
I’ve also held some skepticism regarding the whole of “liquid services”….whats wrong with mulch & compost? My first month on the job I asked my boss how much of that fertilizer actually ends up in the tree. I’m trying to open myself to liquid services, and my company seems to be adopting the best possible practices. This year, I was thrilled to learn somebody much higher in the company decided on a huge budget cut for fertilizer, because the agricultural dose on the packaging is far in excess. Arboriculture is a strange niche within civilization-terms like wildlife management and urban forestry are oxymorons. At times I struggle with the insanity of western civilization, and I could make a great Engineer, but trees are more important to me. Like the national park service, I’m motivated by the cultural aspects of my work- I find ways to justify almost anything which can inspire and educate nature, including increasing the value and presence of urban trees. Like western medicine, I was told growth regulator suppresses growth, to counteract the effects of fertilizer (Like taking blood pressure meds and Viagra at the same time) -what a funny world.
Always hard to diagnose from a video Blair, but I think your client is at a critical cross roads for saving the tree if it is saveable. I agree with your approach, but would add to your prescription. As you said, here to make the tree happy, may not make the client happy. That canopy density with whiteish gray bark is a REAL BAD sign for me. Especially with the last two years of good rain. I would get Arbormulch down on every inch of exposed soil as thick as practical with a watering system underneath it asap. No changes to the yard & monthly monitoring at least through summer. Good luck with this one, please keep us updated. BTW loved your recent removal series. You have always been the man for props. Well done!
Thank Brian. That job was quite stressful for us two old men😬
I agree, that's a lot of weight hanging out over the roof of the house, and eventually it's gonna come down. Pretty tree, but in my experience most of the oaks that I harvest on my property as standing dead wood are generally about 80 years old. Hmmmm!
Some new homeowners in my neighborhood just had 3 very large araucaria bidwillii's cutdown that were absolutely amazing. It really still bothers me. You hardly ever see them and when you do a lot of the time someone ends up having it cut down due to the large cones, sharp foliage or whatever reason but I really love those trees a lot.
I also like them.
@@arboristBlairGlenn About 6 years ago I bought a large amount of seedlings off of someone and now they are about 5 to 6 feet tall. I have been planting them around my neighborhood in the parks but there are so many gophers everywhere I had to put that on hold. I was thinking about the gopher baskets but I don't want to put them back where there are gophers. They seem to really love the roots on a young bidwillii. Now I cannot find anymore seedlings or seeds anywhere unfortunately. I wanted to keep putting them around. I go buy and water them and check on them while they are being established. If it weren't for this gopher nonsense it would make it a lot easier. I think gophers are taking over the entire area of San Diego. I see them and their holes everywhere I go and in many of the yards where I work.
I’m far from a expert but I believe that tree has more years behind it than in front of it, looking forward to follow up videos and ur opinions on the tree future
You may be right
"More years"? Name them. Specify something! Give us a number! Sure, guess! Generalizations are just too easy, do better!
@@kooale estimated age-70
Hey Blair,
Local arborist to the area as well! Love seeing all your videos, and instructional content. Looking forward to seeing the plan fold out. Keep up the excellent work!
Local ? Where? What company?
That’s a very nice old oak tree.🌳
“the Tree?” You in the business or just love trees?
@@arboristBlairGlenn I just love trees. I got a coast redwood for my birthday, an oak for Christmas and grew bristlecone pines from seed.
It's a nice tree though, Blair!
Yes, the new owner said they bought the house because they love that tree. Hard to show them the negatives.
I really enjoy these complicated tree decision videos. Thank you for sharing from your work and expertise!
👍🏻
💚thank you for your videos .
greetnings from Vienna (Aut) ❤
Vienna? Wow. Thanks
Thank you for your knowledge/experience, Blair - sharing the pluses, minuses & options in addressing all the issues here. Arboring an art for sure! Big visual payoff if done right early on...a feast for the eyes & heart ♥ 🎄 ❤
I’m also a “Tall man”! Thanks
great questions from a tree owner and so may answers for each tree that is on any property ..
I like the show and tell. Helps to know what to look for in my own trees.
Glad to be of service!
Thanks for supporting my channel. My daughter is helping me build a merch store at Etsy.
www.etsy.com/shop/ArboristBlairGlenn
We have a gigantic live oak in our backyard with a well in the center of 6 sub trunks and it fills with water every winter/spring here in San Diego, CA. I found the best method to clean it out is a 5hp wet/dry vac! It really was amazingly good at sucking out all the debris, dirt, water and all.
The key is to clean to inspect
If you would like to help support my channel--
www.buymeacoffee.com/blairglenn
I'll never understand why folks think leaving those big cuts open is a good idea. I've heard talk about how coating them with some kind of pine tar or the like will just trap moisture in the cut, but that's kind of the point. I've never seen a tree scab over a larger cut before rot set in. Trees don't grow that fast, but pestilence sure does! Even a scar only 1" across can be more than enough to kill the limb, it just takes time. And, honestly, I think that's why people don't paint the cut faces - time. They know that any rot that sets in will be a decade or more before it causes a problem, so why burn the time to prevent that now? Time is money, and customers love a lower price, so not painting the cuts with pine tar or similar is just going to make your bid more competitive.
Study Dr Alex Shigo’s work on tree sealant. It has been proven to be of no value and in some cases the wound does not dry out which speeds up fungus and decay. Very interesting how he confirmed this study.
Here is an article
s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/wound-sealer.pdf
I am looking at something similar to that crotch . Live oaks in Rockport TX, a cluster of 3 about 16" . They built a wall around them 3 years ago and backfilled with sand 2 foot deep . No suckers except outside the ring .
I can borrow a hydrovac for a little exploratory surgery .
Hope it works out
Its interesting, I don't see much cabling here on the east coast, I wonder why that is?
Cable installation was introduced into the California tree culture about 100 years ago by a few of the big companies.
Nice video and analysisl Is there a way to know the age of an oak without hurting him? Greetings from Argentina
Core boring is the way it is done without cutting the tree down. Still makes a hole
For your videos, do you usually get the client's OK before filming?
And, in your experience is the patio more often a sign of the tree being planted, rather than someone installing the patio around an existing tree? I see the latter more often (or maybe, I assume the latter more often).
This client said yes but unless I identify the client or the address, no. As for the patio. I’m guessing the age of that brick patio to be about the same age as other oaks I have counted rings on so my age guess is about 70.
Do you think this tree could improve with more irrigation? I don't know how the weather situation is over there, but being California I assume there is a drought.
California is naturally a fairly dry state. This variety of Oak tree does okay in dry conditions. The natural mulch build up over the roots helps protect the moisture and improves the soil. If cleaned up in a yard, the Live oak will suffer. Recognizing that a tree’s root zone is important is hard for property owners who also want to use the space that the tree needs. So, your question about adding irrigation. Sometimes but not generally. Also depends on how the tree developed. If a live oak grew in an irrigated lawn and the owner decides to get rid of the lawn (or put in a plastic lawn, then what the tree adapted to is no longer the case. The tree will decline. Good answer?
Thanks for supporting my channel. My daughter is helping me build a merch store at Etsy.
www.etsy.com/shop/ArboristBlairGlenn
I would dead wood the canopy and and install a Cobra System and clean that crutch out like you said.. try and dry it out.
I had to look up 'Cobra System' being I'm not a tree man.
Anyway, those cables look like they'd work just as good or better than the old steel cables. I wonder if Blair has used the newer ones.
@@SSArt98 I know that system but don’t use it. Not because I have a problem with it I’m just stuck in my ways.
As in to back up the old cable before it breaks? I don’t make those kinds of decisions until I feel just how taught (or over stressed) that cable is. In this tree, the horizontal angle is less than favorable.
Part of your job Blair is Soothsayer.
Yes it is. And you have know idea how many neighbors never meet each other!
What do YOU do if you find a cavity in a tree? Fill it? Leave it alone?
I have some videos on the subject. Don’t fill them
And an article tree sealant
Tree sealant, also known as wound dressing or pruning sealant, is a substance that is applied to the exposed surface of a tree wound intended to protect the tree from decay and infection. The idea is that by sealing the wound, moisture and other contaminants are kept out, which hopefully might help to prevent decay.
However, research has shown that sealing wounds with tree sealant is not necessary, and in some cases, it can actually do more harm than good. For example, in certain species of trees, such as oaks and elms maples and birch, sealing a wound can trap moisture and create a favorable environment for decay-causing fungi.
In general, the best approach to preventing decay in trees is to promote overall tree health through proper pruning, watering, and mulching practices, and to avoid damaging the tree in the first place. If a tree does sustain a wound, it is best to simply clean the wound and allow it to heal naturally, without the use of sealant.
Which species of Oak is the tree?
Coast Live Oak
Quercus agrifolia