Care for big oaks- fertilize and cable

Raleigh, NC

Had an arborist come by a couple weeks ago and he recommended that I cable three big oaks that I have due to them having two main shoots instead of one main shoot. (these are 100 ft water oaks). She also recommended that I do a deep root fertilizer on all of my big trees including the oaks, dogwoods, and maples.


Seems like a lot of money to cable and fertilize (they use a liquid fertilizer). Does anyone have any experience with this?

Saraland, AL(Zone 8b)

If they're water oaks, I wouldn't waste any money on them. They will usually suffer from weak limbs when they get some size to them. Usually the first trees to fall in a hurricane.

You may want to have them removed if they are over something inportant like a house or garage.

On the other hand, if they are still fairly young and in good health you may never have any trouble from them.

Trees usually don't need fertilizing unless your soil test suggests it.

Raleigh, NC

These are pretty old trees, but they are also the focal point of my yard and landscape so I am not ready to cut them down. I may just let time take its toll.

Thanks for the insight!

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