Didn't much traction on the outdoor board so trying over here. Wanted to see if there any opinions on if this live oak is still likely viable? I think I had an ant problem which is now taken care of but the damage isn't small. I'm also worried the yellow stuff under the bark might be fungus which from my online readings sounds very bad.

https://imgur.com/a/FwRMgDl

Research this that got my pre-2000 huge live oak in central Texas due to 16F winter then big summer droughts with only hi-sodium water on tap to save it ...
https://forestry.alabama.gov/Pages/Informational/Diseases/PDF/Hypoxylon_Canker_of_Oaks_and_Hardwoods.pdf

My canker was surface & orange - cut now & gone.

Pictures emailed to Neil Sperry or Skip Richter might help you.

Old tree can likely survive that. But with a young tree, I'd guess 50/50.

Try to always give oak trees a year after looking terrible before removing them. I've seen 3 that I was sure were dying come back after I didn't get around to chopping them down.

Cut away any bad bark around each until its fresh wood and let it heal itself. Dont leave a pit or anything where water can pool in any of the wounds, you want them to allow water to run off. As long as the core there is still healthy it should fix itself. Treat it for bugs via a root soak solution and just wait. Dont put paints on it or wraps or anything around it. You dont want to encourage rot, leave it open to air. My shumard oak had ants do the same and left a big 6" oval on its trunk where i performed these steps and it was good by the following year.

what does it look like on the other side of the damaged side of the tree?
What does trunk look like at ground level? It may be planted to low

Definitely need an arborist to look at it.

Live oaks are a terrible choice for suburbia. If HOA allows, I'd pull it and replace.

Interesting take. Say more.

Personally I hate them. Leaf litter is a PITA.

You hate live oak leaves specifically, or all tree leaves? I have two old live oaks and agree the leaves are a PITA while they're falling, but I love the sprawling branches and shade more.

FatZilla said:

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Cut away any bad bark around each until its fresh wood and let it heal itself. Dont leave a pit or anything where water can pool in any of the wounds, you want them to allow water to run off. As long as the core there is still healthy it should fix itself. Treat it for bugs via a root soak solution and just wait. Dont put paints on it or wraps or anything around it. You dont want to encourage rot, leave it open to air. My shumard oak had ants do the same and left a big 6" oval on its trunk where i performed these steps and it was good by the following year.

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I second this. You need to remove all damaged bark and bark that has separated from the inside of the tree. I use a hammer and chisel to cut back to the new tissue. Watch for bugs. They love damaged tissue.

karmapoliceman said:

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Interesting take. Say more.

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The natural growth of a live oak is low and long. (Century Tree anyone?) Great trees if allowed to do their thing. But not gonna happen in the confines of HOAs or anyone who doesn't get what a live oak should be. They end up getting hacked to look like broccoli.

Courtesy Flush said:

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FatZilla said:

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Cut away any bad bark around each until its fresh wood and let it heal itself. Dont leave a pit or anything where water can pool in any of the wounds, you want them to allow water to run off. As long as the core there is still healthy it should fix itself. Treat it for bugs via a root soak solution and just wait. Dont put paints on it or wraps or anything around it. You dont want to encourage rot, leave it open to air. My shumard oak had ants do the same and left a big 6" oval on its trunk where i performed these steps and it was good by the following year.

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I second this. You need to remove all damaged bark and bark that has separated from the inside of the tree. I use a hammer and chisel to cut back to the new tissue. Watch for bugs. They love damaged tissue.

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Third for me-- I have had success with about 8 out of 9 live oaks with this problem. I bought one that was like this at a great discount out from the nursery. The one that was not successful was where I never had the time to spray for bugs. Not sure it would have helped anyway. Once the tree recovers, wait about 3-4 years and you won't see where the wound was originally.

Texker said:

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karmapoliceman said:

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Interesting take. Say more.

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The natural growth of a live oak is low and long. (Century Tree anyone?) Great trees if allowed to do their thing. But not gonna happen in the confines of HOAs or anyone who doesn't get what a live oak should be. They end up getting hacked to look like broccoli.

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Live Oaks are native to Texas and do well overall. Just have to look at them with a 10-20 year timespan. HOA's should have no problem with them, but after all they are HOA's and they have trouble with common sense.

I advise to prune them upwards so you don't wind up with a stubby bush. Otherwise leave them alone. Make a "Y" with your index and middle finger and that is a pretty good angle to keep branching within for the first 10-12 feet.

Follow up, would it be an issue to plant live oaks right now or do I need to wait until spring? How much water will it need when watering? I'm wanting to plant some pretty far from a water source on my property but it may make my life a PITA

I'd plant them now. For watering reference https://www.fannintreefarm.com/tree-care/