Need help from tree doc.?

Question:theres an oak tree in our field that is over 150 y.o.it has Poison Ivy on it that i cut back ever fall.today i at the lower part of the trunk i found some rot,its about 1/2 " dept. 1' long and 8"wide.can this tree be saved?

Answers:
If the rot is just in the bark, no problem. New bark will develop from the bark cambium just below. However if the rot has penetrated beyond into the phloem, there's no reason to panic unless this rot is all the way around the tree...which is sure doesn't sound like.

Just keep the poison ivy off and don't try to clean this rot as you'll cause more injury. Trees don't heal, they wall off injury interally, any extra help from us either makes a bigger wound or breaks down the disease barrier walls.