EDGARD — The large oak tree in front of the Edgard Courthouse could be seeing its last days, local leaders say.

LSU AgCenter County Agent Rene Schmit said the tree, for the most part, has declined to the point that it’s “pretty much dying.”

“If something is going to be done to save the tree, then I recommend it be done very quickly,” Schmit said.

According to Schmit, the root system could be aerated to possibly stimulate recovery. Root aeration involves inserting a probe into the soil, creating air that expands the soil to allow air movement around the roots.

Aeration would happen all around the tree.

Schmit said he brought in other experts and they confirmed his findings.

The aeration recommendation has been brought to the St. John Government for consideration, St. John Parish Division A Councilman at Large Larry Sorapuru said, adding he is unsure what the Parish’s next move is.

Schmit said root constriction due to concrete around the tree and high soil moisture levels from the last year’s rainfall have created a high water table factoring into the tree’s declining health.

“When you have construction in close quarters like that, you are typically going to have some sort of intrusion or damage, whether it’s light, mild or heavy,” Schmit said.

“The tree has been struggling, but we really don’t know at this point what the actual cause is. We haven’t found any type of insect or any kind of disease that could contribute to any kind of decline.”

Schmit was first made aware of the oak being sick in February.

“When I got the call I went out there to check the next day,” Schmit said. “It was in the winter time and it didn’t have many leaves but it did have some. We weren’t in the spring months and we really couldn’t tell what the tree was going to do, but now that we’re into the summer months there should be a canopy of leaves but there isn’t. There are some buds, which are new leaves but they’re dry.”

Sorapuru said he recently noticed the tree wasn’t sprouting or budding.

“There were no leaves on it,” he said. “I assumed it was because of shock from all of the construction happening around it.”

The construction Sorapuru speaks of is the renovation of the courthouse, which involves pouring concrete around the tree and its roots.

“We are on a fine line right now, and there is a chance that we could save it,” Sorapuru said. “The tree is anywhere from 50 to 60 years old. It’s one of the original trees that was planted when the courthouse was built.”

Sorapuru said the tree creates a nice environment for the area surrounding it while providing shade. If it can’t be saved, Sorapuru said the tree will need to be cut down.