When To Trim A Live Oak Tree?

Once a Live Oak tree reaches its mature stage, it only needs to be pruned every three to five years. For this kind of routine Oak tree trimming and pruning, the best time to prune is in the fall or winter. However, there are cases when it’s better to go ahead and prune Oak trees, even during peak Oak Wilt season.

How to Trim a Live Oak Tree – Good Guys Tree Service – Tree Trimming Austin TX

• To avoid the Nitidulid beetle and tree wilt in general, it is best to trim live oak trees during the late fall or winter months when the cold makes the insect least active during the year.

When should you not trim live oak trees?

Oak wilt is most active from April to July, which is why you should never trim oak trees in the summer. To be safe, you should avoid pruning between April 1 and October 1. Davey arborists recommend pruning oak trees between November 1 and March 31.

What is the best time of year to prune live oak trees?

Contrary to what many homeowners assume, summer is the worst time of year to cut off oak branches. Instead, it’s best to prune from late fall to early spring —November 1 to March 31 to be precise. These are the months when oak trees are less vulnerable to disease and infestations.

Do live oak trees need trimming?

Yes, oak trees should be pruned regularly to remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches and to thin out the canopy. Hire or consult a professional arborist before felling large branches. Remove 1/3 of the branches once a year or every several years.

Is it OK to trim live oak trees in the summer?

Our beloved oak trees should never be trimmed during the summer months. This is because oak trees have a disease called Oak Wilt, which is spread by pests and could infect and even kill oak trees that are trimmed between April and October. Always wait until the fall and winter to trim oak trees.

What to put on oak trees after pruning?

A thin coat of pruning seal coats pruning cuts and wounds so the fungal spores can’t stick to the sap, grow into the wound and infect the oak. Seal all oak wounds immediately with pruning seal or black paint regardless of the season.

Can you top a mature oak tree?

Assuming the oak tree is mature, you won’t be able to top it using a pair of shears. Rather, you’ll need to use a chainsaw. And because topping involves the removal of the top part of a tree, you’ll also need a ladder and safety harness.

How do you trim an oak tree without killing it?

How to Trim an Oak Tree Without Killing It

1. Only Trim in the Winter. With some trees, the time of year for pruning may not matter.
2. Clean Your Trimming Tools Before Use.
3. Be Aware of Which Branches You Trim.
4. Hire an Expert Tree Trimming Company.

How do you prune a mature live oak tree?

Make smooth pruning cuts, at the proper place on the tree, so that healing is encouraged (don’t cut too close, but also don’t leave a stub). Never remove more than one-third of the canopy at a time, and allow the tree time to recover and put on new growth before pruning again (about a year is good).

How old is an oak tree by circumference?

Multiply the diameter by 5.0 if it is a white oak. If the tree is a pin oak or red oak, multiply the diameter by 3.5. The result is the approximate age in years. We stress that this is an estimate – not an exact way of measuring a tree’s age.

Can you prune an oak tree to keep it small?

Can you prune an oak or cherry tree to keep it small? Yup! You can keep oak and cherry trees small, too. While arborists prune fruit trees in late spring or early summer, you want to avoid pruning oaks between April and August to prevent spreading oak wilt.

Can you prune oak trees in spring?

The blanket recommendation from Texas A&M Forest Service is to not prune Oak trees in the Spring months (mid February – early June) due to the chance of Oak Wilt spread. Instead, they recommend pruning oak trees July through mid-February.

Is it illegal to cut down oak trees in California?

California law protects native trees, including oak trees. The state of California bans the removal of certain native trees, including oak trees. Homeowners have the right to remove trees that pose a health or safety risk, but they must petition the city before removing the tree.