triming oak tree

[Nutty Fisherman]

Can I still trim a oak tree without hurting it so I can mow under it this summer?

Thanks

[Powerstroke]

You can still trim oak tres safely. Your window is getting smaller as there is less than 1 month left. In general people say April 15th is the last day, but with springs coming soon lately, its better to aim for April 1st, especially if its a Red Oak or a Northern Pin Oak (pointy leaves) since they are most susceptible to Oak Wilt.

[Nutty Fisherman]

Thansk will trim it tomorrow.

[TwinkeeDink]

would you say the same deadline for an elm?

[Powerstroke]

definately the same timeline for an elm. The only difference is that an oak can be trimmed after the summer, elms need to wait until winter as they are still susceptible in the fall.

[311Hemi]

What about Coniferous, or is that too general?

Also, if I am looking to clear out some of my back yard this summer I will obviously have to then pay attention to what I am taking down....in respect to making sure I don't cut/remove any Oak's/Elm's? I don't have any big Oak's but some of the very young trees could be (around 10' tall). I have a lot of small trees that need to be removed, the more mature will be staying. Just want the back yard opened up a bit.

Can Oaks be painted if cut during the summer?

[LABS4ME]

The paint does not help healing (actually hinders it) and does very little to repel insects and the transmission of diseases. It is best to only prune oaks and elms during the winter months where frost is involved.

The diseases are funguses carried on the backs of the respective beetles. When the insect enters the wound to feed on the sap, the spores are transmitted to the live tissue starting the process of the tree dying. When you prune in the cold months, the insects are dormant (and so is the fungus) and the wound has a chance to 'dry out' so it is not very appealing to the insects when they begin to multiply.

Also both diseases are readily transmitted by root graphs... ie: when one tree is infected, often those trees of the same species surrounding it have a high chance of becoming infected through shared roots before you even know they have contracted the disease.

Good Luck!

Ken