You should NOT trim
A couple of key concepts are important to remember: First, there's oak wilt. To avoid the chances of being infected with this deadly disease, pruning should be avoided, if at all possible, from February through June, when the insects that vector this disease are most active.
Our beloved oak trees should never be trimmed during the summer months. This is because oak trees have a disease called Oak Wilt, which is spread by pests and could infect and even kill oak trees that are trimmed between April and October. Always wait until the fall and winter to trim oak trees.
Look for wilting, yellowing, and premature leaf drop. Cankers may form at the base of the trunk, accompanied by a distinct mushroom growth near the tree base, particularly during wet conditions. Caused by various Armillaria species, this is an opportunistic disease because the fungus targets weakened or stressed trees.
Oak trees are accorded heritage value and the governments enact laws to protect them. The state of California is no exception. Most city-building and developmental activities happen through the destruction of vegetation and clearing the way for buildings.
If the roots are not completely removed, they can continue to grow and eventually lead to new tree growth. However, this process takes many years and is not guaranteed. Herbicide can also be used to kill the roots to prevent regrowth.
Using Herbicides to get rid of your Oak Tree
Trees are eradicated by herbicides, including dicamba, imazapyr, picloram, glyphosate, and triclopyr (and other foliage). Always wear the appropriate safety gear and read the product manual when handling them.
Homeowners can reduce the risk of oak wilt infections by not pruning or otherwise injuring oaks after April 15. While high risk of infection decreases to lower risk after mid-July, it's prudent to simply avoid pruning oak trees from just prior to bud break to leaf drop. This means April to November.
How long do oak trees live? Oak trees can live for over 1,000 years; however, a more normal age would be around 600 years. It is said that an oak spends 300 years growing, 300 years living and 300 years in slow decline.
The most common symptom is a sudden change in the color of the leaves. If the leaves of your oak tree turn brown or black, this is a sign that the tree is dying. Other signs include a sudden decrease in the size of the leaves and a sudden change in the shape of the leaves.
Increased light and air circulation resulting from trimming encourages the overall health of the tree. Pruning in the summer helps to support robust and durable branch development, which will help support healthy fruit in the future.
Pruning mature oak trees at home is best kept to the smaller, lower branches that need pruning. Any branches up high in the tree should be left to a professional to cut.
Drought stress can make leaves wilt and turn yellow or brown. Here are some other symptoms of drought stress. Borer insects, like the two-lined chestnut borer, make leaves turn brown, wilt and eventually fall off. Root rot causes browning, starting at the top of the tree.
They're one of the best shade trees out there, and many varieties grow fast! If you love oak trees as much as us, you've likely dreaded the deadly oak wilt disease. Well, pruning oak trees in summer increases their risk of oak wilt.
Its growth rate slows as it ages and produces annual height increases of 13-24". If growing in the right conditions, some live oaks can live up to 300 years or more.
While pruning can trim a tree down to size, plant growth regulators can help prevent a tree from outgrowing its space before it becomes an issue. Plant growth regulators contain hormones injected around the base of the tree.
Live oaks possibly get their name because, unlike most other deciduous oaks which drop their leaves in the winter and might look dead, live oaks lose and replace their leaves gradually throughout the year and so look "live".
Most oak trees grow to start making acorns around 20 years old. Oak tree's peak production comes into play from 50 to 80 years; then acorn production begins to fall off after 80 years. Oak trees that produce the most nuts thrive in high canopies, which is where the most sunlight can be received.
Oak trees improve air quality by storing carbon dioxide and exhaling oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. The leaves of an oak tree absorb airborne pollutants. It has been observed that one tree can absorb up to 10 lbs. of air pollution in a single year1 and oaks can live for up to 400 years.
Oak wilt is most active from April to July, which is why you should never trim oak trees in the summer. To be safe, you should avoid pruning between April 1 and November 15. Davey arborists recommend pruning oak trees between November 15 and March 31.
Oak wilt is identifiable by the rapid pattern of wilting starting from the top of the tree and progressively dying down to the bottom, and on specific leaves, wilting from the edges to the base.
Oaks in general do not require much maintenance and when pruning is needed it is best to do it in the winter months or early spring, between November and March.
Oak wilt is an aggressive disease that affects many species of oak (Quercus spp.). It is one of the most serious tree diseases in the Eastern United States, killing thousands of oaks each year in forests, woodlots, and home landscapes. Oak wilt was first identified in 1944.
Trees, the largest and longest standing part of your garden, can also benefit from Epsom salt. By adding it to the soil, tree roots can absorb more minerals, giving you strong, healthy trees to enjoy for years to come.