Consultant Calls on City to Monitor Oak Tree

According to a consultant hired to evaluate the condition of an oak tree in McDonald Park, the tree’s root system and branches show a “possible likelihood of failure.”

City officials hired Dudek Consulting’s Urban Forestry staff, certified under the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) program, to evaluate the health and stability of the large oak tree located in McDonald Park, following concerns raised about its condition in November.

The company’s findings were revealed in a presentation to the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee on Wednesday.

There was no direction to remove the tree noted in the report.

A request for inspection was submitted to the Public Works and Parks Departments, citing issues such as tree lean, subsidence, low-hanging branches, and oversaturated soil.

The consultants began their evaluation in December, conducting extensive tests on the tree’s structural integrity and root system. The assessment included soil testing to detect pathogens and sonic tomography to identify potential wood decay.

According to the findings, the oak tree showed low levels of internal decay, with trunk tomography revealing no significant structural threats. The tree’s lean, measured at 10 degrees from the center, was found to be stable under normal conditions and self-correcting.

The consultants also analyzed the tree’s overextended branches, noting moderate load and a “possible” likelihood of failure in those areas. Low-hanging branches, with less than six feet of vertical clearance, were also flagged for attention.

Dudek recommended the City trim the tree to reduce the weight on overextended branches, as well as relocating a nearby park bench and table to a safer location.

The consultants also suggested that the tree be monitored periodically to assess any changes in its condition.

City officials from the Public Works, Parks, Recreation, and Community Services (PRCS) Departments, along with the City Attorney’s Office, are currently discussing maintenance options for the tree.

While the oak tree remains in place for now, questions remain about its long-term safety and whether park programming will be affected by potential tree maintenance.

After local residents rallied to save the tree in December, the City placed barricades around the nearly 60-year-old tree, the City said the tree had become an imminent safety threat to residents and visitors due to instability in its roots and large branches.

The barriers have since been removed.

The City’s Municipal Code establishes strict processes and guidelines to help protect the City’s forest and ensures that trees are not removed without justified reasons and only as last resort when considering public safety.