Question
We have a 75-year old pin oak tree in our back yard. When we bought the house, one arborist - who also sold trees - told us it was a doomed tree because of oak leaf scorch; another arborist said he wasn't sure, and recommended deep root feeding and dead-wooding the tree to keep it healthy.

The tree looks dry, but over half of it has growth. We want a tree that will be around for our children, who are 4 and 5 years of age, but I don't want to spend money on the tree if it is doomed to die, or if it dries out and becomes a hazard. How do I get an independent evaluation?
Can the tree bark be tested? Is it worth a 100% effort to save the tree, or should we have it cut down in the fall and plant another tree?

We live in Cinnaminson, New Jersey, just east of Philadelphia and next to Moorestown, in Burlington County. I would love to save this magnificent tree, but I want to be practical.

Any insight would be very helpful. Thank you very much.

Leo Garonski & Family

Answer
Leo,
oak leaf scorch can be a deadly disease if left to go for too long, but there are mangement strategies that can be employed. Fertilization, proper watering and removal of dead wood is a good start. The tree can be injected with an anti-biotic in the spring before the damage to the leaves has shown itself.
First though, you should make sure that it is leaf scorch that you are dealing with. I would recommend that you go the following website- http://www.rcre.rutgers.edu/services/ It is the Rutgers University Cooperative extension sample submission page. Send them several leaves and fill out the forms that are on the site and they can help to diagnose and recommend further treatment.