Question
We have a very large oak in the backyard of our Hartsville, SC home. It turned brown in August last year and dropped leaves.  Our first frost here is not until November. This spring it has small buds on the ends of branches but has yet to produce leaves, when all the others like it in our area have.  I cannot reach a lower branch to check for green color under bark.  It doesn't have any obvious signs of lightening strike or disease.  I am hesitant to have it cut down, it is in a difficult to access area and is probably 50+ years old, not to mention the cost is prohibitive.  Do you have any advice?  I called a couple of arborists in our area recommended by the Clemson University Extension service, but have not received a call back from them.

Answer
Call the SC forestry Commission office and ask one of their Foresters to come take a look. BUT it sounds like it is dead. They should be able to advise you on what to do with the tree.
Here is the contact web page for them
http://www.state.sc.us/forest/contact.htm