Many of the big shade oaks in Albany neighborhoods are water oaks and laurel oaks, and both are shorter-lived than most people realize.
These species grow fast, which is why they were planted so widely, but they typically live only 50 to 80 years. As they age, heart rot often works through the trunk and major limbs, leaving a tree that looks full outside and hollow inside.
Signs to watch for include mushrooms or shelf fungus on the trunk or root flare, large dead limbs high in the canopy, cavities, and branches dropping on calm days. A trunk that sounds hollow when tapped is another clue.
Not every older water oak has to come down, and some can be managed with pruning for years. Green Acres Tree Service can take a look and give an honest opinion on whether a tree is still worth keeping.
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A real photo of a mature water oak on a local property, ideally showing a cavity, fungus, or a cut section revealing heart rot from a removal. Job photos beat stock oak images.
Canva text suggestion: "Full on the Outside, Hollow on the Inside?" or "Know the Signs of an Aging Water Oak"