Storm-damaged or frost-damaged trees may require corrective pruning out of season. Trim evergreen shrubs, like azalea & rhododendron, in late March or early April before the beginning of new growth. Cold temperatures in winter followed by abrupt warming cycles in early spring signal trees to start sending out buds and new growth begins to occur. 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. Anytime between late fall and early spring is best for tree trimming or pruning. Pruning trees isnt only for purposes of increased safety, health or value, either. It is best not to let these plants become overgrown for the area as bringing them back into boundaries is not always possible considering their growth pattern. Homeowners who dont maintain their trees risk, due to fallen limbs, termites, tree diseases and other hazards. Prune deciduous oak trees, which lose their leaves in the winter, as soon as possible. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The arborists at Happy Tree Service know the trees in Austin. If debris falls on your head or eyes, you should wear a hardhat and goggles. Live oak trees are a common sight in Texas and are known for their sprawling branches and dense foliage. If you want to reduce the risk of disease, it is critical to remove dead or damaged oak trees as soon as possible. Landscape Horticulture Services provides complete landscaping care for cities, commercial properties, sports fields, apartments, H.O.A., and those in the private sector. Young oak trees are frequently pruned to promote growth and to promote their health. They remain hardy and robust over the years, but as they grow, they require trimming to keep them from becoming unhealthy. In general, trees that have been around for a long time should be trimmed every three to five years, while younger trees should be trimmed every two to three years. dead, diseased, broken, or dangerous branches. Each branch will be pruned with a different set of cutting tools that are tailored to its size. All too often I drive through neighborhoods in the Houston area on my way to consulting appointments and see tree after tree completely butchered. Homeowners should not prune when wood is frozen since freezing causes brittle wood. However, there is sometimes a need to trim a tree because it poses a threat to others health and safety. It also destroys the plant's natural shape and promotes suckering and the . For most deciduous trees February through March is considered as the best time for pruning and trimming. 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. It was a delight to see how dedicated the crew worked to get the job completed in a satisfactory manner. It is not necessary to use ladders while trimming trees. Remove branches that rub together. Trimming in the fall leads to more blossoms in the spring. While you can certainly trim your trees yourself, it is best to work with a certified tree care specialist to ensure the best results. So, consider every cut carefully. Starting about 10-12 inches away from the tree, make an undercut on the branch. The simplest and easiest way to explain this is that if an oak tree has limbs rubbing against the roof or hitting cars in the driveway, or if limbs are being broken by large vehicles driving down the street, then the tree has cracked, broken or rubbing limbs causing constant sap flow. They are less vulnerable during this time to infestations or diseases that could rot them. You must complete the scheduled trimming or pruning before early spring when the fruit trees begin to leaf out. The least desirable time is immediately after new growth develops in the spring. Smith's Gardentown, 4940 Seymour Hwy., Wichita Falls, TX (940) 692-7100 www.SmithsGardentown.com Show more. However, red oaks seem to deal with it the most. Trimming for fruit production should be done just after bloom in early spring. If youve ever heard of oak wilt, then you already know this dreaded disease is serious for oak trees and the homeowners and landscapers who love them. On the other hand, trees that bloom in spring should be pruned right after blooming preferably before the summer begins. If properly topped, peddling or severely pruned, an oak can be killed. Ask an arborist to help you inspect your tree or shrub and identify its health to suggest trimming as per the requirement of your tree. The best time to trim oak trees is between late October and mid-March, when they are dormant. 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. 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. For the past several years, I used company called Texas Services. Remove branch stubs Avoid topping trees. Your tree trimming or tree cabling service requires a level of care to maintain their safety and aesthetics. 12:57p, 11/12/11. we've got 4 huge oaks and 2 big sycamores that need trimming. 3920 . , including pruning saws, shears or any other tools that you use. Once the disease gets into the network of roots there, the entire live oak colony could eventually be destroyed. . This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Pruning right after flowering allows you to relish the spring flowers and also offers sufficient time for the shrubs to start new flower buds for following season. When an oak tree is cut in the spring the cut will ooze sap, attracting the beetles and thereby infecting the tree. Both of these mistakes leave oak trees vulnerable to disease, rot and insect infestation, which can harm the trees health, longevity and value. 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. Springtime is when oak trees are the most prone to contracting oak wilt, so pruning should be avoided during this season if possible. Correct timing helps protect and maintain, beautiful, healthy, valuable plants. Springtime is when oak trees are the most prone to contracting oak wilt, so pruning should be avoided during this season if possible. We need to wait until winter is almost over (we hope) and spring is fast approaching. Through modern education and professional training, our team of Certified Arborists make sure that their recommendations and guidance is correct and in keeping with the peak standards of practice. The owner gave me valuable information to assist me in making decisions on the final job. is in the case of oak trees that are suffering from oak wilt. for many years to come. The internet is a wonderful tool for learning and an almost unlimited source of information. . we got a quote of $2600. Winter. The Best Time In Texas To Prune Oak Trees. If the tree is causing a safety hazard or damaging your neighbors property, you may be required to remove the tree or take steps to address the issue. Distinctions: Resembles the widely available Pin Oak, Q. palustris- but the acorns are larger on nutall oak. Late winter is generally the best time to prune trees that are either non-blooming or summer blooming. This will help the tree to heal before the new growing season begins. to keep the tree healthy and strong. In 10-20 years all you can see is a tree and no house. Many of our customers report that they have asked one or more green industry professionals and received mixed advice. To learn more about Rapid Decline of Post Oaks in North Texas, TX, call our Argyle and Southlake-based teams The branch collar is the thicker, raised ring at the base of a limb where it connects with the tree trunk or with a larger, parent branch. Prune before new flower buds set. As a result, the best times of year to do so would be during the winter months. Warning. We care deeply about tree health care and protecting your trees from disease, pests, fungus, and any other ailments. The best time to prune deciduous trees is late winter or early spring (February, March, and early April) before they begin to leaf out. Required fields are marked *. A live oak may need to be trimmed in late fall or early winter if it is exchanging leaves in late winter. There are big differences in how to prune different fruit trees. Appel (eds.). Regardless of your opinion on how to prune crape myrtles I recommend trying to get your pruning done before that point. Major branches should be trimmed only by experts, not by amateurs. If you really value your trees and want to do the absolute best for them we can always get you more information during a consultation. with one of our arborists. Houston, TX 77005. It can be spread from infected trees to healthy trees by sap-feeding beetles called picnic bugs. Structural pruning for fruit trees should be done in the winter. Oak trees should be trimmed at the most appropriate time. 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. This includes, and many other varieties prevalent in many Texas yards. Cleaning your tools with bleach before you work on each new branch or tree helps prevent the spread of bacteria and disease from one tree to another. The Best Time of Year to Prune Oak Trees Significance. Some experts believe that when it comes to preventing the spread of oak wilt, the benefits of pruning paint outweigh the negative effects. Prune if plants are done flowering and not too hot. Objectives of Peach Pruning. We needed more sun to shine through on the grass underneath & they did an OUTSTANDING job! Elms are hardy and native to Texas. Like most other trees in Texas, healthy oak trees are best pruned during winter months. Spring-flowering shrubs, such as lilac and forsythia, blossom in spring on the growth of the earlier season. | Short answer: December through February Evergreen Trees Evergreen trees, such as pine, spruce, and fir, require little pruning. The pecans were grown in Elgin, Texas. Let the tree grow as tall as you want. The right time for pruning or trimming deciduous shrubs is decided by the plants growth routine, bloom time, and health or condition. Prune in late fall or winter. Weve established that trimming the branches of your oak trees, and any trees on your property, helps enhance and preserve their beauty along with their overall health and value. Anytime between November 1 and March 31 is the best time to trim your oak trees. Trees affected by oak wilt can be pruned in the heat of summer, but should never be pruned in the spring. 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. Professional Tree Services in Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding areas. The most vulnerable time of the year for oak trees to disease and insect infestations is during the months of September and October. Worse yet, the fungus can spread to surrounding trees, especially if you choose the wrong time to prune or remove a diseased tree. Overly vigorous pruning can cause stress to the tree and damage its circulatory system, leaving it vulnerable to pests and disease. Its better to trim away dead or overgrown branches in the wrong season than to leave them on your trees before storm season hits. How close should dogs and cotoneasters be to brick? Read on to find out the best time to prune trees in Texas and learn proper pruning techniques that will help you maintain the optimal health and value of your trees. Finally, it is always a good idea to be cautious when trimming or removing any lower branches. Still yet, many other experts recommend the period between April to October as a bad time to trim Oaks due to Oak wilt . This is referred to as a. , as it removes the bulk of the limbs weight, enabling you to make your final cut without splitting any healthy wood or bark in the process. The tree should be trimmed between November 1 and March 31 during the quieter months. Its hours are Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Back to the top. Pruning is best done during the winter when the tree is dormant. The crew trimmed two front oak trees that were truly overgrown. The best time to trim oak trees in Texas is in the fall and winter. It is critical, however, to follow proper safety precautions, such as wearing protective equipment and limiting the amount of work that is performed at a given time. Oak trees suffering from diseases like oak wilt, however, may require a different pruning schedule along with very careful treatment. Landscape Horticulture Services has been in business for over 20 years and has completed over 1000 successful projects to date. 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). Q: When do you prune live oak's large limbs? Oak wilt is a disease easily transmitted from tree to tree by beetles. Please enable it for the best experience. But what some people don't know is that they might be doing more harm than good if they want one of these six worst trees to plant in Houston. If you've ignored your trees for years it'll probably be more, but 3k sounds insane. While it is safe to trim oaks anytime between June 30th and February 1st, the best time to trim oak trees in Texas is in January or February. During the spring, it is safe to perform spring treePruning as long as no more than 10% of the tree branches are removed. Trim trees near power lines - call an expert! 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. Late winter late March or early April is the best time to remove unwanted lower branches on evergreen trees. The beetles responsible for spreading the fungus that causes oak wilt are most active during the warm spring weather. 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. Worse yet, the fungus can spread to surrounding trees, especially if you choose the wrong time to prune or remove a diseased tree. Ask questions about what exactly they are going to do. Trees that bloom primarily in the early spring such as redbuds, mountain laurels and the like should be pruned immediately after their blooms begin to fall. for many varieties of animals and insects. Oak Wilt is spread in one of two ways, either by the bark beetle or through roots connecting one oak to another (like in a grove of Live Oak trees). Here are some average prices for trimming an oak tree by size: Small trees - Trees that are 1-1.5 storey tall would cost you $250 - $350; Medium trees - Trees 2+ storey high will cost $350 - $550; Large trees - Trees 3+ storey high will cost $600 - $1000; Extra-large trees - Trees 6+ storey high shall cost $900 - $1800