Study: Bedford Oak Health is Good, Some Limb Decay

A new study states that the overall health of the Bedford Oak is good but that there is decay and cavities in some of its limbs.

The report, conducted by SavATree and on the town board's agenda for Tuesday night's meeting, also states that the historic white oak is estimated to be around 500 years old. The company found early stage saprot in the trunk and in an upper branch that was scanned. While decay can't be cured, the company writes, the optimizing its health can help with longevity. The study also states that its lower limbs are overextended.

SavATree also gives some recommendations, including reducing the tree's crown by around 10 percent in the dormant season and by another 10 percent in the following three years, although the later will be based on what the tree's response is. The intent of the pruning is to reduce the chance of branch failure. Other recommendations include replacing turf with composed mulch in the root zone. This is meant to curtail competition for water and nutrients. The report also recommends directly people around the site's edges instead of its interior as a safety measure to reduce their risk of facing limb failure.

The Bedford Town Board has the report on the agenda for its Tuesday night meeting.

The full report can be read at this link.