our chruch has recently put in a new parking lot and done some serious root excavation (about 80% of the area around one tree.) It is a live oak and now that summer is here and stress is taking its toll the foliage is looking sad. Is it too late to do anything? What should I do? I put about 2 inches of compost on the existing surface area but a heavy rain would wash it all into the parking lot. Would sick tree treatment work? I don't want to go to the expense or trouble if it would be for naught. [/list]

From what I understand, live oaks are able to withstand more abuse than normal. This does not mean that they are indestructible, but there could still, possibly, be hope. It is my wish that someone more knowledgeable about this kind of thing, possibly Howard, might chime in with some expertise.

If you do not get an answer here, go to the "Trees" forum and repeat the query there.

I appreciate your concern. Trees are very important to the quality of all life on earth! I think that most people do not realize this. It is a shame that they do not. It is our duty to enlighten the world: not by humiliation and degradation, but by offering them a more practical and successful way of doing things!

Cheers,
Nadine