Coast Live Oak (quercus agrifolia) questions

         My wife and I moved in 2 years ago to a property with several native
 oaks. The original residents (1917) farmed apricots on the surrounding land, al
 of which is now built with homes. The soil is ancient streambed, silty loam wit
 close to half stones and rocks. A Coast Live Oak in our front yard extends to 8
 feet in diameter, with a trunk diameter at chest height of 6 - 7 feet, and seem
 to be in excellent health. Previous residents have installed a small lawn under
 part of the tree which reachs no closer than 10 feet to the trunk and covers
 less than 20% of the under tree area. There is also a 3-4 foot tall gently
 sloping berm around part of the other side of the tree. From pictures left to u
 I can determine that the berm  and lawn have been in place for at least 10 year
 and probably closer to 20. I irrigate and fertilize the lawn just enough to kee
 it alive in summer, and the water penetration in the lawn does not appear to
 extend more that a few inches as the soil is quite compacted. Most of the rest
 of the area under the tree remains dry in summer.

         Should I be concerned with the lawn doing harm to the tree ? What are
 the signs of Oak root fungus ? Would renovating the lawn (ie. tilling in
 amendments and reseeding) be unwise ?

         Should the berm be removed because it may be suffocating the tree roots
 or is it to late and removal would cause more harm than good now ?

         Anyone care to estimate the age of this tree, and the expected lifespan
 ?

         Any suggestions for Oak-friendly plants for the perimeter area (part
 sun) ?

         TIA
                 Chad Schroter Los Gatos CA (central coast)
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