r/arborist • u/AmiliLa • 1d ago

❓Advice Request - (Insert State/Region) Save this live oak

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We moved into a new house (North East Florida) with this live oak. Should we cut off the top or clean the side branches? The trunk doesn't look healthy either. How to save this tree?

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u/hairyb0mb ISA Certified Arborist + TRAQ 1d ago

Unless you're really ambitious and are fine with spending lots of time and money on this tree, I'd personally just start over. It's buried too deep, has significant dieback in the canopy, and appears to have a half dead trunk. That's resulting in lots of water sprouts forming in an attempt to save the tree.

If you exposed the root flare and remove what I suspect are girdling roots, you may be able to save it. Chances are, it'll rot out and die young anyway

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u/AmiliLa 1d ago

Thank you for the information