When Can You Trim Oak Trees In Michigan

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 do you trim an oak tree without killing it?

How to Trim an Oak Tree Without Killing It

1. Only Trim in the Winter. With some trees, the time of year for pruning may not matter.
2. Clean Your Trimming Tools Before Use. ...
3. Be Aware of Which Branches You Trim. ...
4. Hire an Expert Tree Trimming Company.

Is it too late to trim oak trees?

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 October 1. Davey arborists recommend pruning oak trees between November 1 and March 31.

Should you prune lower branches of an oak tree?

Yes, oak trees should be pruned regularly to remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches and to thin out the canopy. Hire or consult a professional arborist before felling large branches. Remove 1/3 of the branches once a year or every several years.

What months are best to trim oak trees?

The safest time of year to prune oak trees is November through February. These late fall through winter dates will place your tree comfortably outside "oak wilt" season.

Can you cut branches off an oak tree in summer?

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.

What happens when you cut the top off an oak tree?

Topping reduces the photosynthetic engine of the tree (i.e., its leaf area); decreases vigor; increases susceptibility to insect, disease, and internal decay; reduces aesthetic value; severely alters your tree's silhouette; creates potential future 'breakage' hazards from poorly structured crown/branches; and is time

Is it OK to top an oak tree?

Tree topping can shock a tree, leaving it unable to nourish itself. This can lead to disease and even abrupt tree death. Tree topping can also create risky situations for its surroundings, so it is in your best interest to avoid tree topping when possible.

How much can you cut off an oak tree?

Oak trees don't exactly handle extreme pruning well, so be very intentional and thoughtful of which limbs you snip. Never trim off more than 15% of the branches at any one time.

When should you not trim a tree?

Pruning during the growing season always stimulates new growth. During summer's heat, having to produce that ill-timed new flush of growth greatly stresses a tree. Pruning in the fall is even worse as it prevents the tree from going into a natural dormancy. The exception is heavily damaged, disease or dead wood.

Why do tree experts tell you not to prune your trees during the summer?

Avoid Pruning Oaks in the Summer A tree with open pruning wounds may be extra vulnerable to certain diseases, some of which are spread by insects attracted to fresh wounds. That's especially for oak and elm trees!

Is it better to trim trees in the fall or spring?

For most trees, the best time for major pruning is late winter to early spring because wounds close faster. Pruning in late summer and early fall may also stimulate new growth, which has little time to harden before cold weather comes.

What is not a good tree trimming technique?

No Flush Cuts One of the most common pruning mistakes is the flush cut. This occurs when you cut a branch off flush with the bark of the tree trunk or larger branch to which it's attached.

How much of a tree can you trim without killing it?

If a tree repeatedly loses too much of its canopy at one time, it can become weak or even die from the stress. That's why you shouldn't trim more than 25% of a tree's canopy at one time. Cutting the branch collar can also be a nasty error.

Does pruning an oak tree promote growth?

In order to attain a handsome stature, it's critical to prune an Oak early in its life. This is what is called developmental pruning. It's done when the tree is very young to encourage proper growth as it develops in your landscape. Once an Oak reaches maturity, it's long past time to prune for proper growth.

When can you shape an oak tree?

Ideally, winter is the best time to trim oak trees. And that includes the months between November and April. This is key to preventing the trees from a lethal disease called oak wilt. It is a fungal disease caused by insects buzzing around any wounds in the tree bark or feasting on the sap of a newly trimmed tree.

Is it better to trim a tree in the winter or summer?

Your Tree Will Look Better in Spring Late winter is a great time to prune, contain, or rejuvenate overgrown shrubs and trees. Any branches cut back during the winter will be able to recover quickly in spring with new growth.

At what age does an oak tree fully mature?

A tree becomes mature when it starts producing fruits or flowers. This is when the tree is at its most productive. How long it will stay productive depends on the species. A typical English oak tree starts producing acorns at around 40 years old, peaking in productivity around 80-120 years.

Is it OK to trim trees when its hot?

Pruning in the summer helps to support robust and durable branch development, which will help support healthy fruit in the future. Some fruit trees, such as apricots and cherries, are susceptible to disease when pruned during the rainy season.

Can you cut trees in August?

Deciduous trees (ones that lose their leaves in winter) are usually pruned in autumn and winter. In some cases, for example with magnolias and walnuts, pruning is best done in late summer, as healing is quicker.