RE: Tree bark growth question
You can take an increment borer and tell the growth rate of the tree by taking a plug out and counting the growth rings. On an oak don't screw it in too far or you may not get it back out. I hate to see screw in steps as a lot of people won't remove them from the tree, therefore the potential of a sawmill incuring a lot of expense(or worker injury)when the blades hit them one day in the future.