I have a large yard that has many beautiful 100+ year old Oak trees. One of the small Oak trees has grown over the house and was resting on the house this winter due to ice on the tree. This small Oak tree has no other path for sunlight due to other larger Oaks nearby. I suspect that the roots have grafted with other nearby Oak trees.

I would like to remove the oak tree now instead of waiting until winter as there is potential for damage to the house. Is there risk of the stump contracting a fungus that could spread to other Oak trees due to root grafting? Would the risk be mitigated if the stump was ground out or if the stump was painted?

Best regards, Josh

I don't believe you'll increase the probability of oak wilt infection to your remaining, healthy oak trees simply by cutting one oak tree and leaving a stump that came from a tree that wasn't even infected w/ oak wilt.

Best of luck!