Arborists: Fernandina's Historic Kate's Tree Can Be Saved After Limb loss, But Urgent Work Is Needed

By Mike Lednovich/Editor

FERNANDINA BEACH — Two independent arborists who examined Fernandina Beach's iconic "Kate's Tree" following the collapse of a massive limb last weekend concluded the historic live oak can be preserved, but only with prompt structural mitigation and ongoing monitoring.

The reports, obtained by the Fernandina Observer through a public records request, found that the tree's failure was caused by long-standing internal decay and structural deficiencies rather than disease or pests. Neither arborist recommended removing the tree.

The tree, located in the median of Ash Street near Eighth Street, lost a massive limb June 14 that damaged a nearby home and reignited public debate over the future of one of Fernandina Beach's most recognizable heritage trees.

Advanced Tree Care Consulting arborist Daniel Lippi found significant internal decay in the tree's remaining trunk structure and noted that one of its two primary leaders had failed because of "undetected central decay" associated with an old pruning wound that never properly healed.

Lippi described the tree as structurally deficient and showing evidence that it has been under stress for years.

"The tree has been structurally deficient for quite some time and is beginning to break apart under load," he wrote, citing the recent failure and visible fractures in the remaining trunk structure.

Despite those concerns, Lippi concluded that the tree should not be removed.

"The tree is not a removal, and did not fail due to disease or pests, but the tree does require structural mitigation in order to preserve the remaining structural integrity of the tree," he wrote.

His recommendations include reducing weight throughout the canopy, removing dead branches, conducting a higher-level risk assessment and implementing urgent root-zone protections. The report calls for removing 25% to 35% of the canopy through carefully targeted reduction pruning to reduce stress on the compromised trunk.

Lippi also warned that if the city's proposed conversion of Ash and Alachua streets to one-way traffic proceeds, any asphalt removed within the tree's canopy area must be taken out by hand to avoid damaging roots. Heavy equipment should not be used inside the tree's root zone, he wrote.

A separate assessment by Fernandina Beach arborist Early McCall reached similar conclusions.

McCall described the tree as what appears to be two live oaks that fused together over time. One section measures approximately 44.5 inches in diameter while the larger stem measures about 50.3 inches. The tree occupies a narrow landscape island surrounded by pavement, leaving it with restricted growing space.

Toppled limb last Sunday

McCall found evidence of white rot inside the broken limb and estimated that the failed section represented roughly 70% to 80% of the crown associated with the smaller trunk.

He said the city faces two reasonable options regarding the damaged stem: smooth the broken area and see whether the remaining branch can sustain the trunk, or remove that entire trunk section at the base.

"This part will never be a strong tree again," McCall wrote of the damaged stem.

McCall also identified a large crack in the larger trunk approximately 20 feet above ground where two co-dominant stems meet. He recommended reducing the weight of a large branch and installing cables or bracing to help prevent a future catastrophic failure.

Both arborists pointed to the tree's restricted growing environment as a contributing factor in its decline.

Lippi noted that live oaks are exceptionally resilient trees and suggested most native species would not have survived decades in such confined conditions. He said the tree's limited root area likely reduced its ability to obtain sufficient water and nutrients and may have contributed to its inability to contain internal decay.

Although the tree contains moderate internal decay and suffered a major structural failure, Lippi's formal risk assessment rated its overall risk as "Low," citing the relatively low likelihood of another failure striking a target despite potentially severe consequences if one occurred.