A member of Trees Lexington! and the Lexington Tree Board reported a fungal fruiting body growing on a large pin oak (Quercus palustris) in a residential location along a major arterial (Richmond Road).  The fungal fruiting body was identified as Inonotus sp., an aggressive decay organism known to colonize this species.  Sounding the tree, using a recording resistance drilling tool, and tomography indicated that this individual was potentially very unstable and had a high likelihood of failing into the major arterial.  In the process it would take out major utility distribution lines.  Upon my recommendation, the tree owner contacted the utility company.  At no charge to the tree owner, a “make-safe” pruning operation was performed.  After the base of the trunk was removed, it was discovered that the extent of the decay was more significant than originally suspected.  

While the removal of this specimen tree was a loss to the urban canopy, it eliminated the risk to significant property damage, loss of utility service to the neighborhood and community, and the potential for significant injury to pedestrians and automobile passengers traveling along one of the busiest arterials in the city. The timely removal of the bulk of the canopy (make-safe pruning) saved the homeowner approximately $4,000 to 5,000 and the potential for loss of life and property damage (e.g. utility line, residence and/or automobile) significantly exceeding the cost of removal.