SFGate

Anne Gibney Are you concerned it will fall on the house? Or the electric wires? Check with your local electric or phone company about their plans to move lines underground, if in the near future maybe leave it alone. Do you live in the white house or grey one? The tree is providing energy saving shade to the grey one in your picture.

Ross NW Watergardens Get the opinion of an arborist.

eztia Hire an arborist.

eztia My last comment was very short. I intended to write: Hire an arborist for a consultation. S/he will be the one with the expertise you need for your situation.

trobador I thank you all for your opinions...my house is the white one...the main concern is in the event of high winds during a storm that it may collapse on top of the house....a couple of years a go a tree cutting company gave a healthy diagnosis to the tree....I love this tree and I am just about the only house in the development with a red oak tree in front....I have mix feelings about cutting it down....

simplify52 Don't cut it down! We live in Florida and do not cut trees down in case of a hurricane. I know you've had "Sandy" but what are the chances of you getting another storm like this one. That is a beautiful tree!

trobador Kathy, I appreciate your words...the biggest challenge is to convince my wife. After Sandy she is very concerned....

houssaon If your tree is healthly keep it. It is a real asset to the home. It is too bad there are not more of them in your neighborhood. Think of all the storms that it has weathered. The problem with the trees that come down are, for the most part, is a rotten core. Sometimes, if there has been a lot of rain or snow and the tree has a large canopy, the roots can heave. But for the most part you won't see good healthy trees coming down in storms.

trobador Houssaon, thank you....I do want to keep it....