HELP...Please. Our construction company just ripped a 1 foot square piece of bark off of a 200 year old oak tree in our yard. What, if anything, can we do to help the tree? What would the valuation of the tree be, if it needed to be (could even be!?) replaced. THANK YOU!!

Reply to post by Ellen Ludwig Herrlin, on March 22, 2000 at 16:53:36:

The bark damage may actually be less of a problem than other factors. The damage you described suggests they were close to the tree with large equipment, and the disturbance to the root system may be far greater and have more severe impacts.

I suggest you find a consulting arborist near you to check the tree and assess the damage. A good arborist will understand the possible hidden injuries, and can advise you on what to do for it. He/she will also be able to help determine the value, if necessary.

You can find a searchable list of consulting Arborists at the American Society of Consulting Arborists web site, at
http://www.asca-consultants.org

In cases where construction is going to occur near a valuable tree, it is far better to have an arborist check the site before construction begins (during the planning stage is best).

Russ Carlson
Registered Consulting Arborist

Reply to post by Russ Carlson, on March 22, 2000 at 16:53:36:

THANK YOU!

Reply to post by Ellen Ludwig Herrlin, on March 22, 2000 at 16:53:36:



Some good advice would have been to wash it off with clean water and staple or nail it back in place. It won't work now because it's been too long, but do it for the next ones--in addition to being more careful.

bob