Bad time to trim a big oak?

[cpp gardener]

No Oak Wilt in California.

 

[Bamboozled]

Very interesting, thanks.

 

[Chuck]

Very interesting, thanks.

Just for grins I googled Oak Wilt in California. From what google says Oak Wilt is becomming more prevalent in California and is a growing problem in the Lowlands of California, whereever that is, and in Southern California

 

[cpp gardener]

Oak Wilt caused by Bretziella fagacearum has not been found in California. There are other wilt diseases that affect oaks, but they have different means of spreading and different management techniques. Sealing pruning wounds is discouraged by UCANR.

 

[Meadowlark]

I've got an oak tree with a 35' canopy in the backyard that I need to trim for insurance purposes. From checking around online, it seems that spring/summer is not the best time to cut it due to oak wilt and other potential issues.

Live oaks are a treasure. Why risk exposure to possible harm to that beautiful tree by cutting it back now. If it were mine, I would wait until winter. I wouldn't take the risk.

 

[cpp gardener]

The main problem here is witches’ blooming caused by mildew infection of wounds. Not a problem in summer/fall when humidity is low. It’s mainly cosmetic and doesn’t threaten the overall health of the tree.
Sealing wounds traps fungal and bacterial spores that can cause major rot issues, so is discouraged by UC Cooperative Extension.

 

[MiTmite9]

I'd probably wait until fall but I truly don't know enough about oak wilt.




You are right about that. I've seen first-hand how shady most or all tree services are. They just want the job. They don't care about the health of the tree. I've even seen them lie about the health of a tree to convince a homeowner to take the entire thing down! It was a mature, healthy silver maple that had no history of dropping branches aside from a rare ice storm. It was super beneficial to wildlife, but the homeowner bought into the fears they were selling and had it removed entirely.

Here in SoCal there are a lot of people who hate Eucalyptus. Many years before this vendetta against Eucs began, I managed to save our back yard Corymbia citriodora (previously known as Eucalyptus citriodora aka Lemon Gum). (Corymbia is one of the three genera commonly referred to as eucalypts.)

I was traveling overseas (still a teenager) and came home to hear that a tree company guy was advising my parents to remove our C. citriodora. Mom had called to have the tree trimmed, and the tree dude said, "For $125.00 I can remove it for you. It's going to fall over onto your house someday soon."

I pitched a fit, threatened to chain myself to the tree (well . . . not quite that histrionic). Battle won.

That was 50+ years ago. We call her "Our White Lady." She is absolutely majestic; healthy as can be. There's a lovely dwarf grapefruit tree growing right next to this "Euc" and that grapefruit tree pumps the most wonderfully delicious fruit every year ---- for decades now. So much for "Not being able to grow anything under a Eucalyptus tree."

 

[cpp gardener]

They ARE one of the most majestic species. So structural and elegant. Also one of the least likely to fall apart for no apparent reason.

 

[Bamboozled]

Live oaks are a treasure. Why risk exposure to possible harm to that beautiful tree by cutting it back now. If it were mine, I would wait until winter. I wouldn't take the risk.

Need to trim it so it's not overhanging the house for insurance renewal. Policies are getting canceled or non-renewed around here due to fire hazard, they're sending out drones, and my understanding is that it's not a great time to be trying to find coverage with a new carrier.

The branches (except for one) being cut are not large diameter, I've been trimming them for years with a basic 16' extension pole pruner, I just can't reach the higher branches. The large branch hanging over the neighbor's yard will not be cut until winter.

Thanks to all for the feedback. Very interesting and informative.