It's Time to Check On Your Trees! Pruning shears can be used on very small growths, while hand-held pruning saws can be used on smaller or larger branches. Do not prune as flower buds are setting. The pecans were grown in Elgin, Texas. Prune before new flower buds set. Though this particular disease has caused lots of devastation in the Texas hill country we are most fortunate in the Houston area that we not have a major problem with Oak Wilt. dead, diseased, broken, or dangerous branches. The owner gave me valuable information to assist me in making decisions on the final job. Houston, TX 77005. Around our homes, on the other hand, pruning trees is an important part of. Oak wilt is a fungal disease that is lethal to many oaks. While you can certainly trim your trees yourself, it is best to work with a certified tree care specialist to ensure the best results. If you cut into the collar when pruning a limb, it can interfere with the trees ability to circulate nutrients, prevent the wound from healing properly, and leave the tree vulnerable to bacteria and disease. Best Time to Trim Oak Trees in Texas When dealing with oak trees, it is especially important to pay attention to the time of year. Call today for more information about our superior tree service, pruning service & tree removal in Austin. We needed more sun to shine through on the grass underneath & they did an OUTSTANDING job! in this article, you will find frequently asked questions about oak wilt. This is because the absence of greenery at this time of year gives the arborists an open view of the tree and allows the selection and elimination of correct branches. In the wilderness, trees have no need for pruning, and certainly not on any schedule. When is the best time to trim oak trees in Texas? Its a question we get a lot, so we thought wed answer it here. Because untrained tree cutters are such a prevalent problem in Houston its worth taking time to decide if its worth a little bit more time and expense to educate yourself and get the job done right. Live oaks can be found in many varieties, including Mexican oaks as well as Spanish oaks and . Prune shade trees, such as oak, sweetgum, maple, katsura and hornbeam in late winter or early spring. The best techniques for trimming oak tree branches include the proper pruning techniques mentioned above, along with a few special steps that are important to note. best time to prune oak trees in houston texas. Oak trees, on the other hand, have unique requirements for pruning because they can be infected with oak wilt, a deadly disease that infects them when fresh cuts are made. Generally, the worst time to prune trees in Texas is between February to June. Knowing when is the best time to prune trees in Texas is the first step toward taking good care of your valuable trees. They remain hardy and robust over the years, but as they grow, they require trimming to keep them from becoming unhealthy. Remove branch stubs Avoid topping trees. in most parts of Texas, thats January and Februarywhen the tree is in the dormant part of its growth cycle. When pruning branches, be sure to clean and sterilize your tools, including pruning saws, shears or any other tools that you use. 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). Some deciduous shrubs dont produce attractive flowers, instead they may have colorful bark, fruit, or foliage. According to the University of Florida, pruning your tree is most crucial in its first years. That's when fungal spores are least likely to infect a tree. Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) 6. To get a little more specific about the best times to prune certain varieties of Texas trees, late winter is the best time to prune Texas trees that are either non-blooming or summer-blooming. There is never a bad time to remove dead, damaged or diseased branches. Prune from late autumn to early spring. Trees that bloom in spring, on the other hand, such as mountain laurels and redbuds, should be pruned immediately after they bloom (while still as early in the season as possible). Both of these mistakes leave oak trees vulnerable to disease, rot and insect infestation, which can harm the trees health, longevity and value. Trimming live oak branches is an art, but it is also influenced by arboriculture. Cut more than 25% of the living tree, in fact 5%-10% is usually best. The worst time to prune a tree is in the spring time, when the Oak trees are more susceptible to diseases and fungi such as oak wilt. We also know how frustrating it can be when they become damaged or diseased. of pruning in winter (or early spring) is for homeowners who live in areas of Texas that are. If the official Texas State Tree werent the pecan, it would probably be an oak tree. The proper time to prune your oak tree is in the dead of winter . They treated the job as if they were working in their own home. They enable us to stay out of the sun as we relax outdoors, and they also provide both shelter and food for many varieties of animals and insects. The other big exception to the rule of pruning in winter (or early spring) is for homeowners who live in areas of Texas that are prone to severe weather. Smith's Gardentown, 4940 Seymour Hwy., Wichita Falls, TX (940) 692-7100 www.SmithsGardentown.com Show more. When oak wilt or other disease is suspected, its especially important to. It is important to pay attention to your trees so that you can spot any unusual behavior early. A: Do your best to avoid pruning oaks during the spring (defined as February 1st - June 30th). When it comes to caring for your trees (and landscape) its best to consult a local professional. Of all the parts of your landscape the trees are the only thing that will likely still be there when you are gone and maybe even when your house is gone! We proudly communicate our process and project information correctly and timely with accountability. Pruning Guidelines for Prevention of Oak Wilt in Texas Oak wilt, caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum, is the most destructive disease . The time of year to avoid carrying out this type of maintenance will fall between early February (1st) and early June. for many varieties of animals and insects. However, many tree experts actually believe that using pruning paint is a mistake. Springtime is when oak trees are the most prone to contracting oak wilt, so pruning should be avoided during this season if possible. This is a fast growing tree with an open crown. Prune to promote plant health Remove dead or dying branches injured by disease, severe insect infestation, animals, storms, or other adverse mechanical damage. Using special fungicides on the wounds when pruning a tree with oak wilt can also help extend the life of the tree and prevent the spread of disease. Oak trees suffering from diseases like oak wilt, however, may require a different pruning schedule along with very careful treatment. In a perfect world, we could simply allow these impressive giants to spread their limbs as far as they like. we got a quote of $2600. All of these factors contribute to determining the best time to prune trees and serve to enhance the confusion about the topic. We need to wait until winter is almost over (we hope) and spring is fast approaching. The best time to prune trees is during the late winter while the trees are dormant. Clean all pruning tools with 10% bleach solution or Lysol between sites and/or trees. To avoid the problems of oozing sap and attracting pests such as beetles, it is best to trim your oak tree in the middle of winter, when bugs are dormant or frozen. They might be the state tree of Georgia, but they grow just as well in Texas. Prune oak trees from late fall to early spring in order to keep them healthy. Preventing the spread of oak wilt is just one of many reasons its important to utilize. If the tree is dormant, it is best to remove large branches from it. It is most commonly seen when someone prunes a tree in the wrong season. I usually do mine in early spring before their leaves fall. Fall: Don't ever prune during the fall! The entire question and answer can be found here. Oak wilt is a disease easily transmitted from tree to tree by beetles. we've got 4 huge oaks and 2 big sycamores that need trimming. So, consider every cut carefully. Biologic Scanmask: An Effective Method To Protect Against Termites? Oak trees should be trimmed at the most appropriate time. Pruning helps to keep your tree healthy and can also improve its appearance. To. Rot in particular can ravage even the largest of trees, leaving them feeble, damaged, and at risk of potentially falling. There are exceptions to this rule, and they will be noted under the discussion of the specific plant groups. Your oak is much less likely to contract illness and be infected by fungi during these times. Are they thinning the canopy or just trimming up the lower branches to a certain height? 590.50 Sale of cypress products prohibited without permit. If you want to avoid large wounds, avoid overpruning green wood 15% at a time. Pines are pruned in early June to early July. Because of our unique climate nature behaves differently here than it does in other parts of the country. Spring-flowering shrubs, such as lilac and forsythia, blossom in spring on the growth of the earlier season. Late winter late March or early April is the best time to remove unwanted lower branches on evergreen trees. The best approach to timing your pruning is to prune the later blooming trees first, followed by the earliest bloomers. Of course we can go into much greater detail about when to prune and why my goal with this article was to be as pragmatic as possible and help you look at pruning in a way that is applicable to a busy lifestyle. 27K views 5 years ago How and when to properly prune your Oak Trees from Steve Smith. But if several trees share a common root system, it may be necessary to dig a series of deep trenches as well in order to sever the connecting roots and prevent the disease from spreading. A live oak may need to be trimmed in late fall or early winter if it is exchanging leaves in late winter. In the previous paragraph i used Oak Wilt as the example pathogen that insects can spread from tree to tree. Finally, be sure to burn, chip or bury any trimmed branches or other debris from trees affected by oak wilt as soon as possible after pruning to help prevent the spread of this deadly fungus.