The Davey Tree Expert Company has partnered with Brentwood High School and the Brentwood High School Alumni Association to preserve the “Principal Tree,” an ailing post oak on the school grounds.
In a press release, Davey Tree says back-to-back years of drought and record heat have weakened the tree, which has started to lose nearly one-fourth of its canopy. The oak is estimated to be as much as 85 years old.
Davey Tree reports the tree has responded well and has stabilized while awaiting dormant pruning.
After examination by a certified arborist, Davey recommended deep-root fertilization, treatment for growth regulation, fungicide injection to prevent oak wilt and dormant pruning of deadwood.
See also: Ailing oak at BHS: class of ’74 seeks help to save it
This fall, Davey applied a deep-root fertilization treatment of Arbor Green Pro®, injected the trunk with oak wilt fungicide and applied the growth regulator treatment.
The BHS Class of 1974 is seeking donations to raise funds to pay for the treatment.
The oak measures about 28 inches in diameter, is about 70 feet tall and has a spread close to 70 feet.