Is It Time to Prune My Oak Trees?

Almost, but not quite yet.

Did you know it is recommended to wait until after Nov 1 to prune your mighty Oak?

The time is right to prune your Oak after the first hard freeze. As the name would indicate, this type of freeze is more serious than a normal freeze. A hard freeze happens when temperatures drop to 28 degrees or lower for an extended period, killing most crops and patio plants.

Pruning of oak trees is best done in the winter months between November and April. This will help to prevent the dreaded oak wilt disease, a systemic problem that is very difficult to stop once it has taken hold. Oak wilt occurs when the tree is most vulnerable in its growing season. It is spread by insects that carry the fungal disease and enter wound sites in the bark. If the tree must be trimmed or is damaged during the growth season, gardeners should dress the wounds with protective sealant immediately.

https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/faq/when-best-time-prune-oak-trees

SOME HELPFUL INFORMATION FROM OUR ISA-CERTIFIED ARBORISTS

Oak wilt is a vascular disease caused by a fungus that spreads locally from infected trees to nearby healthy trees. Primarily transmitted through root grafts, it causes sudden wilting (especially in the red oak group), early leaf drop, discolored leaves, and sometimes, vascular streaking in the sapwood.

If one tree gets oak wilt, all oak trees in your yard are at risk, especially Red oaks.

You must remove the infected tree and treat the other oak trees with a fungicide to protect them. Our arborist may recommend a mechanical intervention since oak wilt most commonly spreads between root systems.

Oak wilt is most active from April to July, which is why you should wait till the winter months for oak pruning.

Invested in a tree care company with professional arborists to help avoid tree removal and treatment costs.

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