Re: Coast Live Oak (quercus agrifolia) questions

 Hi Chad,
 The Calif. Oaks Foundation publishes a pamphlet on compatable plants to
 use around oaks. It is a useful reference on what can be planted around
 the coast live oak.
 Elly Bade


 On Mon, 2 Dec 1996, Chad Schroter wrote:

 >
 >         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,
  all
 > of which is now built with homes. The soil is ancient streambed, silty loam
  with
 > close to half stones and rocks. A Coast Live Oak in our front yard extends to
  85
 > feet in diameter, with a trunk diameter at chest height of 6 - 7 feet, and
  seems
 > 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
  us
 > I can determine that the berm  and lawn have been in place for at least 10
  years
 > and probably closer to 20. I irrigate and fertilize the lawn just enough to
  keep
 > 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 res
 > 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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