Winter is best for pruning local oaks
— Two weeks ago we wrote about the suspected presence of oak wilt in San Angelo. A few guidelines for pruning oak trees warrant repetition and dates need clarification and correction.Wintertime dormant season is the best time to prune oaks in oak wilt country. This begins at the first hard freeze and continues through February in our area, if temperatures remain cold. Once temperatures warm, we halt pruning in oak wilt hot spots.
In our area, a no-prune time usually is from late February through June 30. That's because the bark beetles capable of spreading the fungal disease are most active in spring and early summer.
Research indicates pruning oaks during the active season for bark beetles, March 1 — June 30, can continue if each pruning cut or wound immediately is sprayed with pruning paint. This will affect utility right-of-way pruners, professional tree services, and of course, us do-it-yourselfers.
It is amazing how these bark beetles can sense fresh wounds and are attracted to a feeding/reproduction site and ultimately spread the fungus, which is unsuspectingly being carried on the beetles.
Fortunately oak wilt is not widespread in San Angelo or Tom Green County, and we have just located our first three suspected cases in a few isolated areas.
Trees damaged by drought and in recovery should not be confused with oak wilt.
Be careful in pruning stressed trees. They need green leaves and live wood to recover. Dead wood in the tops of trees are an indication of roots that have died because of stress. Dead wood never comes back to life and can be removed any time of year.
Inspect large, old trees for dead branches that can fall, causing possible injury or structure damage. Dead branches that have broken and remain a splintered snag are best removed cleanly to aid in healing and deter the formation of hollow limbs or trunks later.
Cleanup pruning of cold-damaged perennials is under way. This includes yellow bells, plumbago, cannas and other top-killed woody and herbaceous garden plants.
Oak Tree Yellow Leaves - News
Trees damaged by drought and in recovery should not be confused with oak wilt. Be careful in pruning stressed trees. They need green leaves and live wood to recover. Dead wood in the tops of trees are an indication of roots that have died because of
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