Comments on: Silky Oak, what you really need to know

By: admin

admin — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:24:54 +0000

Tony, it may survive. I’ve seen quite mature silky oaks growing under power lines that have been pruned severely and have grown out into a wide canopy. The best way would be, to consult with an experienced arborist. Just to make sure it survives, it might be a case of prune half and wait for regrowth before completing the job, but an arborist will advise the best course of action. Best of luck.

By: Tony

Tony — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:38:45 +0000

I have a large Silky Oak in my back yard in Greensborough, Melbourne. It is about 40 years old, the trunk is 2 metres in circumference at the base and it is probably 20 to 30 metres high. It is close our house and causes the neighbour some concern with the amount of debris it drops. I love the tree and do not want to remove it. I am thinking of having it cut back (topped) to about half its present size and severely trimmed. What do you think about this course of action? Would the tree survive?

By: admin

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:46:49 +0000

Marc, Silky Oaks can grow to an old age. If you want to find out how old it is it would be best to consult with a local tree professional but really cutting it down to count the rings would be a real shame wouldn’t it? Surely you wouldn’t do that?

By: Marc

Marc — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 05:33:23 +0000

I have a massive silky oak gravillia in backyard up in Lismore and the neighbors across the roads kids remember that big tree while they were growing up befor my house was even here. That was 30 years ago. How old could this tree be? How can I tell? Should I saw it down and count the rings

By: admin

admin — Mon, 30 May 2011 04:52:40 +0000

Hi Your best solution would be to consult a local Arbourist as this will require some specialised knowledge. Having said that though, the damage may have already been done. On a brighter side you may not end up with the desired form you were after but the bushy plants, when in flower, will produce a much more spectacular and prolific display. One of the traits of tall silky oaks is their flowers are often held high in the tree. Whereas a bushier plant will display them closer to the ground where can more closely be admired.

By: Bambi

Bambi — Sun, 29 May 2011 00:29:49 +0000

We live on acreage on the Sunshine Coast, QLD and have quite a few silky oaks planted on the farm. We think we may have a Tip Moth invasion but I am struggling to find out more information on how to get rid of them. They are eating the new shoots on the tip of the juvenile trees and stunting growth, making them quite bushy rather than tall and straight. The trees are only 1.5m tall at present.
What can you recommend? This is what the grubs look like – http://lepidopera.butterflyhouse.com.au/dept/tonica.html
I prefer not to use chemicals on the farm.

Thanks.

By: Rebel Gardener

Rebel Gardener — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 21:42:48 +0000

It may be under attack by some sort of pest. Best to ask at your local nursery and if they cannot give a satisfactory answer then you may have to get a professional in to look at it.

By: Juanita Chadwick

Juanita Chadwick — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 04:26:44 +0000

Hi everyone I have numerous Silky Oaks planted down our driveway (semi rural property). We noticed that one of our trees which is about 3 years old and stands 8 metres tall still looks healthy and flowered this year is leaking large blobs of sap. Does any one have any idea what this is all about.???

By: Rebel Gardener

Rebel Gardener — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 21:51:31 +0000

Hi Anthony, thanks for your comment and you are spot on. Way too many people do this with way too many trees. Eucalypts are another prime example. I visited a house just the other day that was surrounded by Gum Trees (eucalypts) and the gutters were over flowing with leaf litter. In fact it was so blocked up you can see where dirt and debris has caused weeds and grass to grow in the gutter that could be clearly seem from the ground. There were also sticks and small branches littered all over the roof and ground. All these trees are beautiful and they certainly have their place but they should be kept well away from buildings. At the end of the day though it all comes down to common sense. Remember plants only get a bad reputation where planted in an inappropriate position therefore do you believe that it is the plant that is at fault or maybe the gardener that planted it???????

By: Anthony

Anthony — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 11:34:13 +0000

I have a large Silky Oak in my back yard which was there when we purchased. It’s quite an attractive tree but a disaster being rather close to our house. When it’s not dropping thousands of frond like leaves, it’s the yellow flowers and when it’s not that it’s the brown seed pods – all over the back yard or on the roof and in gutters. Forget pruning away from neighouring properties – unless they’re upwind.
I would not recommend planting one of these – unless you would like an almost full time job cleaning up the mess below it.