The Best Time of Year to Trim Live Oak Trees in Texas

Time Frame

• Remove dead branches and twigs from a live oak tree anytime. Trimming living tissues is best done in late fall or winter when the tree is dormant. There are two benefits to pruning live oaks in winter. The first is diminishing the threat of oak wilt, a fungal disease. Bark beetles spread the fungus when they feed and burrow into the open wounds on live oaks. Pruning in winter avoids this problem. Another benefit of winter pruning is no immediate regrowth in the form of water sprouts that require additional trimming. When the tree is dormant, it will create calluses on the pruning wounds but not produce new growth until spring.

Pruning Insight

• Trimming an errant or low-hanging branch on a live oak may be a pressing issue that cannot wait until December or January. Although not ideal, removing some branches to improve clearance or sight lines near roads or driveways should be done immediately. Texas live oak is slightly more susceptible to oak wilt, but both species may be harmed. Normally, pruning wound sealants are not recommended on trees, but such a dressing on live oak wounds helps prevent bark beetles from introducing the fungus into freshly cut wood. Sealing pruning wounds is necessary only in parts of the state known to have oak wilt disease issues.

Hurricanes

• In areas within 150 miles of the Gulf of Mexico, a standard landscape maintenance strategy is to conduct any tree trimming before the start of the hurricane season. Live oaks, as native trees, are naturally well-adapted to local wind and weather conditions. However, any limbs that dangle near power lines or a house should be trimmed before hurricane season. Once a tropical storm comes ashore, it's unsafe to prune. After a storm passes and damage occurs, resources in an area may be in short supply, including your own time and the services of reputable arborists.

Equipment

• Delay trimming a live oak tree until you have the appropriate equipment to effectively and safely prune it. A sharp hand or bypass pruners readily cuts through twigs less than 3/4-inch in diameter. Using a pair of loppers is best for branches 3/4-inch to 1 1/2-inches in width. Pruning saws and chainsaws are required on larger branches. The wood of live oaks is dense and heavy. Hire a licensed and insured arborist or experienced landscape professional to manage limb removal on taller trees.