Tree identification

lanceabunch

Hello everyone!

Just moved into a new house in San Antonio, Texas. I am no arborist, horticulturalist, or botanist and I have a very ragged looking tree in my back yard. I am trying to identify, and hopefully save it. There is ball moss growing all over it, dead branches galore, a lightening strike right down the middle, and is suffering from severe drought we are having. Other than watering, and putting down mulch and grass, any helpful ideas? Is it worth while to prune the dead branches? Thanks in advance!

-John

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Brent Ferris

Looks like Live Oak Quercus virginiana -- are the leaves arranged opposite, alternate or as clusters?
Lightning damage - how deep is the crack, and if there is callus tissue around the crack, can you post a closeup of that callus tissue?
Mulch, generally is kept away from the trunk to prevent rot on the trunk bark. Deadwood removal is at least beneficial from the perspective you can then tell -- definitively-- is the tree is dying, or it suffered in the past and is trying to recover based on how many limbs die going forward after the deadwood is cleared,
Fertilize - organically, liquid seaweed or kelp is a good start -- and unless you are on a well, the tree should be getting at least an inch of water a week - at least to the drip line, preferably further,
Hope this gives you some ideas.

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Eric Frei

Looks like new fence, new house ... new estate.

I'd say construction damage, selective clearing and remnant tree left, soil compaction, turf, grade change and wella .... 1/2 stuffed tree.

I'd definitely do a root crown investigation, that tree might have decay in roots.

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