This massive Oak has a lot of thick moss growing on the root flare. The bark near the base of the tree seems a little brittle (pic 3) but the canopy is super healthy and lush. I worry the moss may retain water and rot the wood. Would it be good to remove any moss and maybe excavate out a bit if the dirt and grass near the flare or should I assume if it’s made it over 100 years it’s probably happy?
by __fallen_angle
5 Comments
Curious how you know it’s 100. Did you go to it’s bday party? Did it tell you its age? Kidding aside, it’s probably fine. If it made it 100 years (I doubt it) without your help, then it’s probably okay. A mulch ring won’t hurt it if you’re worried
Only if your mower or edger runs into it. Go ahead and add a 3 inch thick layer of mulch at least 4 feet out from the trunk in a circle. But not actually touching the trunk. Stay a few inches off.
Gorgeous root flare, wow. Usually the only bad things around the trunk are mushrooms, usually indicates root decay or other tissue death, but none to be found! Moss is fine! Rain water collects on twigs and leaves from the canopy and naturally collects down at the base of the trunk. Moss loves water, and I always liked moss and lichens on trees personally, only adds to the naturalness but that’s just me. Would love some canopy pics too. Will also say mature trees love a good pruning/deadwooding. Looks like it’s a red oak from the bark? I’d wait until winter when tree services are slow and to avoid oak wilt exposure, a good arborist will know this and schedule pruning for fall/winter, and you may get a little discount since they’re slower in the off-season! Pruning often reinvigorates trees and makes them even healthier! If it’s in the budget of course. Probably less than 1k to prune based on the trunk size and a guess of the height. But also fine to leave it. Doesn’t look like there’s any major above ground roots that were damaged by mowing which is sometimes a problem. Again, great tree!
That’s fine
Lmfao, that oak is not 100 yrs old. That being said, its well established and you should not be worried about root flare as long as you dont plan on putting anything new (soil etc) on top of it.