oak tree dilemma

15 years ago

Hi,

I'm trying to decide whether to remove an oak tree that is increasingly blocking sun from my vegetable garden. This is the only place I can put the garden, and it's one of my greatest pleasures. The tree was planted by the previous owner, so it can't be more than 10 years old. Cutting down a tree feels so unethical to me, though, and I'm wondering if I should just suck it up in the interests of nature! Can anyone lend perspectives, justifications to help me feel better about it, thoughts on whether planting trees elsewhere (and/or contributing to the arbor day foundation) 'makes up for it'?

Thanks!

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Comments (5)

tressa
15 years ago
Could you thin the tree? It is so important to our/your environment. I don't want you to feel bad - but I don't think I could take a tree down - now maybe if it weren't an oak. Tell me if it is a native oak....if it's not I think I could change my mind....LOL
cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
15 years ago
I had probably 25 old and huge oaks on my property when I moved here in '07. Also there were some young, clearly "store bought" oaks planted in a stupid area.
I cut the young ones down without remorse.
I have also had to have two old oaks taken out because they were dead and I still mourned each one of them like an old friend.

So yes I could remove a young one but would need medication to just cut down a healthy old one.

Makes no sense, I know.
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Jo-Ann
14 years ago
Cearbhaill,

What you are saying makes total sense to me. I moved to Nova Scotia in 2007 to an old farmstead with a lot of trees and I honestly didn't know one tree from another except some were big, some were small. I have since learned that some are really worth trying to preserve and some simply aren't. AND, if one is about to fall on your house in a bad storm, well it's got to go, and to weep is appropriate.
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
14 years ago
roni, if you're still out there, curious what you decided?
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
14 years ago
Not sure what grows under oaks, but many plants love shade, and an oak will blanket the ground with mulch (falling leaves), so as long as the roots are plant friendly, might be ok to keep it.

I had a beautiful shade garden on one side of my house. THEN came the dreaded day the house sold, and the new neighbor took out the tree and ruined my eco-system!

Good luck whatever you decide! We took out some huge Eucalyptus trees threatening our house during high winds. Had to hire a company to do it.