We have an approx 100yo white oak in our backyard, being stressed by the construction of a garage nearby. The arborists from the 2 companies we had in for pruning estimates have recommended 2 different things to help with the stress, aside from fertilization. One has recommended use of an "Air Spade" to loosen the soil compacted by construction (does this damage fine roots?) and the other has recommended an application of paclobutrazol growth inhibitor to decrease foliage and new shoots in order to encourage root growth. Thoughts? Suggestions? I thought the experts from my alma mater ('84, '88) would know. Thanks for your help with this. The tree is in the R hand corned of the attached picture. I might also add that it is further stressed by the recent removal of a mature hickory on our neighbor's property (farther to the R off the picture) that shaded it on one side .