If you want to reduce the risk of disease, it is critical to remove dead or damaged oak trees as soon as possible. This will help the tree to heal before the new growing season begins. for many varieties of animals and insects. Best Times to Prune Oak Trees | San Antonio Tree Surgeons 3920 . The branch collar is a vital part of the trees circulation system. It can be spread from infected trees to healthy trees by sap-feeding beetles ("picnic bugs"). When to Prune Oak Trees in Texas - Happy Tree Service of Austin Oaks must be cut and sealed. Austin, TX. The proper fertilization of trees has a significant impact on their longevity and health. Pruning evergreen trees must be done regularly to get rid of dead, diseased and broken branches. Springtime is when oak trees are the most prone to contracting oak wilt, so pruning should be avoided during this season if possible. Trees that arent well maintained, however, can become not only an eyesore, but also an actual liability. PDF Pruning Guidelines for Prevention of Oak Wilt in Texas Having a bunch of open pruning wounds during this time is literally like turning on little water faucets of sap for insects to feed from. For trimming, you shouldn't have to pay north of a grand. Prune oak trees when they are most active. In 10-20 years all you can see is a tree and no house. The main idea in pruning is to remove old, gray-colored, slow-growing shoots, which are non . Cut more than 25% of the living tree, in fact 5%-10% is usually best. The optimum time for pruning of trees and shrubs is January through early March when trees and shrubs are dormant. Mr. Smarty Plants at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a free service that is provided by the centers staff and volunteers. Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) 3. Growers with only a few trees can wait until 'pink bud' to prune. To. . This is why some DIY tree trimmers, and even some arborists, paint the cut surfaces of pruned tree limbs with wound dressing or latex paint (also called pruning paint). Trees provide majestic beauty and undeniable curb appeal, along with much-needed shade in the Texas heat. Continued Below Advertisement Additional tips to help prevent spread of oak wilt Then, moving an inch or two further down the branch, cut from the top of the branch all the way through. Overlooked, dense spring-flowering shrubs may need extensive pruning to refresh or renew, preferably in late winter or early spring (March or early April) to restore the health of the shrubs. Fall: Don't ever prune during the fall! Trimming your oak trees is also an. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The arborists at Happy Tree Service know the trees in Austin. As mentioned earlier, cleaning your tools with a bleach solution will help prevent the spread of disease from an unhealthy oak tree to a healthy one. Use your pruning saw to place the cut down to the parent limb, just outside the swollen collar. There are many reasons why trees, especially mature trees, raise the property value of your home. This includes, and many other varieties prevalent in many Texas yards.