Tree trimming

[echotrail]

About 10 days ago a local tree trimmer gave me an estimate for trimming a Silver Maple and a Red Oak and offered a reduced price if I did the job within a week. I questioned him about it being early to trim the oak and he said it was no problem. I got a second bid by another company and they said they won't trim Oaks until after the first hard freeze.

Who is right?

[Bobb-o]

We are currently in what is considered a low risk period to trim oaks. But if you want to be completely safe aboot it, it is suggested that you wait until november to trim oaks. This is the preferred time for pruning since the fungal pathogen and insect vectors are inactive.

[Powerstroke]

Exactly what BObbo said. By all accounts you arae very safe by pruning oaks right now, but there is always an outside chance.

I agree that oaks and elms should only be pruned in the dormant season. Plain and simple. About 60% of the state has already had frost, but the recent (and upcoming) warm weather will bring bugs back out and can make a late hatch too.

I would be more leary of a company who offers you a deal to schedule it right away. They are offering an incentive to you , but they are placing you at risk and only doing so because this is a very slow time for tree companies right now. Any big time tree company should tell you to wait. Saving a buck has its place, but you can get a better deal by waiting to get it trimmed until mid to late winter. This is when tree companies are really struggling for work.

I worked for a tree company for 5 years and they are all across North America. I was never laid off, but there were weeks when everyone only got 24-30 hrs and that is always in Feb-March.

[echotrail]

Thank you both for your help. There's no reason to change my lifestyle now so I will put it off for a couple of months.

[Abrams]

Why run the risk?

I would not trim the red oak in my yard until March. . . .or any tree for the matter.