The large red oak tree in the park by the water is in very poor health. Thirty to forty percent of its branches are dead. It’s a shame, since this tree has been a fine source of beauty and shade for many years at the park.

Soil compaction and the lowering of the lake during the dredging project are the likely culprits, but no one can say for sure. The tree was also treated for fungus and insects last year, but it continues to decline. We’ve gotten many opinions from tree professionals, several of which are to just cut it down. It may be a terminal case, but I don’t think anyone wants to take that step yet. There is still a lot of tree left, and it just might rebound.

The board is considering additional treatment methods, like aeration drilling. But the first action is to cut out the dead wood. It’s a safety concern, and certainly not doing the tree any good. So if you hear the sound of chain saws coming from the park in the next day or so, that’s what’s going on there.

And if anyone can get a good arborist down to the park to take a look, please contact Rob DeLong.