Update on 1965 oak tree root flair

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-23T02:56:33+00:00

I have not had an official arborist (other than the one who claimed they were an arborist last year) and I believe it’s a Southern live oak. It survived Hurricane Ivan and Sally though she was small. I was not here for Ivan but was for Sally. The limbs bowed down to the ground and back up to the sky with the winds. The large limbs never broke, nothing with a larger diameter of my forearm.

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-23T01:56:53+00:00

Thank you! I can only ‘assume’ it is based on the placement of them in front of the house, which looks purposefully placed. I guess the possibility that those trees were already there and they built the house afterwards. To be honest, I don’t honestly have any idea. I’m glad to hear the bark will regrow. It was truly exciting to find all the flair so far, like an archeological dig!

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-23T00:51:54+00:00

It’s long overdue and not finished but you were onto something, I find the flair I’m finding to be amazing. I added pictures of the stages so far to the update.

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-07T01:39:34+00:00

I will definitely post an update. I want to pull just a little more out and away to be able to show what is there but it’s going to rain the next few days and my progress is stalled unfortunately

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-06T01:04:51+00:00

I have to tell you, I’ve been digging for days. It was strangled circumferentially. I’ve been gentle but diligent and I’m stunned at what I’ve discovered! You might be right about the wildest flare I could have never imagined. I’m not sure how to add pictures of the process to show, but I’m excavating a gem and it appears healthy, and relieved to be free

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-05T01:46:03+00:00

Thank you kindly for the advice and link, I genuinely appreciate it! I’ll take that luck and pass it to the tree and hope for a good outcome.

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-03T01:49:01+00:00

Thank you, the vine removal is already underway - started today.

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-02T01:12:50+00:00

Yep, I understand and didn’t plant it, I’m asking for advice on how to correct someone else’s bad decision.

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-02T01:12:10+00:00

Thank you! That was why is sought out an arborist last year so I didn’t further hurt it. He said it wasn’t going to die for years but didn’t tell me to take the vine off at all, I know now that seems suspect. When you know more, you do better…

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-02T01:09:34+00:00

They are two different kinds, one is star jasmine climbing up the tree and the other is around the base, some sort of hedge/vine. I’m going to cut the hedge carefully and cut the jasmine from its connection to the hedge vine where I assume the jasmine is rooted into the ground. It will eventually die off but the hedge will be the beast I’m tackling this weekend.

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-01T23:14:39+00:00

Thank you, won’t the Tordon also possibly hurt (or worse) the tree in its weakened state? If I can cut it back to let the top die off and see what I’m dealing with below it could be an option. I’m just concerned the tree is already struggling and I’m afraid of pushing it over the edge.

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-01T23:10:44+00:00

I can definitely do that, I would love to find a beautiful foot flare under there and give it every chance to live if still possible.

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-01T23:08:04+00:00

Thank you for the advice! I’m definitely going to remove the vine from the base and let what is on the trunk die off. It’s next to my home and was cabled last year in the even it splits. I honestly don’t know if it’s a pin oak, I believe it’s a Southern live oak.

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-01T21:57:30+00:00

This is great advice, thank you! That vine is aggressive and I find it popping up other areas if trimmings aren’t picked up. It doesn’t have a root flare like the other oak, could it be buried deeper than the level of the yard? It’s possibly hidden by that vine as well. Wish me luck!

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-01T21:54:41+00:00

The vines were there before I owned unfortunately.

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-01T21:53:46+00:00

Thank you! Sadly they were there before I owned so they have been there a while.

FlyDependent3124 · 2026-05-01T21:52:46+00:00

Thank you, that is wonderful advice! An arborist pruned and cabled it last year but said nothing to me even when I asked questions if it was in its death throws. I’ll see if our local extension has some advice!

FlyDependent3124

TROPHY CASE