trimming oak trees

[Nathansdad]

Is it safe to trim oak trees yet? I have many dead branches I'd like to trim prior to leaves dropping. Not worth the risk though if oak wilt is still a possibility.

Jeff

[riverrat63]

it would proble be ok now the nights are cold and during the day its not geting to humied you should be fine.

[paul pachowicz]

the best time to tree a tree???. When the loppers are sharp.

[LwnmwnMan2]

"don't prune in May or June"

[Powerstroke]

Generally speaking you are safe to prune an oak. I try to wait until the frost to avoid any possibility of risk, but oaks are generally in the clear after the hot part of summer.

[toughguy]

I always heard prune in months with R in them. although I don't in April

[Powerstroke]

I would say you're best to prune between Oct and March. Its too much work to think about what letter falls in each month. If its warm out, its probably not the time to prune oaks, elms, etc.

[2springers]

White or Red Oaks?

To be safe you should wait till at least October. Even just as important is to make proper pruning cuts.

[B-man715]

You can trim DEAD branches off of your oaks anytime of the year.

[2springers]

....if proper cuts are made and NO live tissue is injured.

[Powerstroke]

You can trim DEAD branches off of your oaks anytime of the year.

Only if you plan on leaving stubs all over your tree.

In order to make a proper pruning cut you should prune to the branch collar to promote proper healing of the wound. Leaving stubs is unsightly and prolongs the healing period. Proper cuts heal faster and seal off sooner.

White oaks are somewhat safer to prune earlier, but once again, you're just best to wait until after freezing weather.

[2springers]

Not really freezing weather, but anytime after the trees go dormant.

Hey powerstroke- you seem fairly knowledgeable about trees, do you have some background with them?

[Quetico]

Go with Powerstroke, he is correct. Your best to wait until mid to late October. Don't get suckered into using dumby paint, I mean that black spray paint some say will seal the wound. Spray black paint on your broken arm, it will have the same affect on your tree.

[Quetico]

My background with trees- I'm a landscape designer that studied some forestry and arboriculture at the U of M.

[2springers]

My background with trees- I'm a landscape designer that studied some forestry and arboriculture at the U of M.

was Gary Johnson your professor?

[Quetico]

Gary was the highlight of my senior year. The hippi really knows how to make a class fun. One of my favorite prof's of all time.

[2springers]

Gary is great, thats for sure. And yes, he is a hippie to the core.

[Powerstroke]

I took some classes early on at the U but never finished it. I worked for a national tree company for 5yrs doing urban work in the metro. I pruned, did removals, spraying and fertilizing, diagnosing problems etc.

When I said freezing weather I mean after a frost.

[2springers]

Big orange or green?

[Powerstroke]

Green! LOL No big orange for me. I was too close to power lines as it was.

I very much enjoy Gary's talks at the regional meetings though as well as the Shade Tree seminar.

[2springers]

The MSA fall conference is Thursday Oct. 8th at the MN landscape Arboretum. Always a good venue. You should consider it.