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Saving a spruce tree #879949

Asked August 02, 2024, 4:13 PM EDT

We have a house in Bayshore outside of Waldport. There is a "old" spruce tree on our property that a neighbor finds obscuring his view of the ocean. The HOA rules say it needs to be topped UNLESS it was here before Bayshore was built. How can I estimate the age of this spruce tree? The measured circumference is 6 feet or 2 feet diameter. My very rough estimate of height (it is on a slope) is 100 feet.

Lincoln County Oregon

Expert Response

Thanks for your question.

I  discussed this with Dan Stark, Oregon State Extension forester.  There is no way to correctly determine Sitka Spruce age based on overall height.

However, f you can wait until next week, he may be able to come down to Waldport and use a tool to determine the age of this Sitka Spruce.   When was Bayshore built?

Please give me your contact information (phone number).

Thank you.

Bill Hutmacher Replied August 07, 2024, 3:07 PM EDT
Hi Bill,
This message of course went into my Junk folder. Thank you for your response. The situation for us is, we are heading for Waldport today. The work on the trees starts tomorrow. However, there is rain in the forecast which may delay the work.

Bayshore was built in 1962.
My contact cell phone is<personal data hidden>  Feel free to call any time. 

Thanks so much for your help. If the timing does not work out, that's okay.
Worth a try.

Larry Flick
Dean Emeritus
College of Education
Oregon State University
From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Wednesday, August 7, 2024 12:07 PM
To: flick8051 <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Saving a spruce tree (#0149867)
 
The Question Asker Replied August 08, 2024, 12:23 PM EDT
Good talking to you this morning.   I passed your contact information to Dan Stark, OSU Extension forester.  He may try to contact you directly.
Bill Hutmacher Replied August 08, 2024, 3:50 PM EDT
Dan, thanks for the information you shared through Bill. Our house in Waldport is used by friends and family so we are not there all the time. If we can make a connection happen that would be great  but it is awkward. Thanks again. Larry Flick
From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Thursday, August 8, 2024 12:50:31 PM
To: flick8051 <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Saving a spruce tree (#0149867)
 
The Question Asker Replied August 08, 2024, 3:59 PM EDT

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