Bad time to trim a big oak?

[Bamboozled]

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.

Two well-regarded tree service companies have said it's fine to cut it now as with one exception the branches to be cut are not major branches, they're about 2"-3" diameter which will not hurt this robust mature tree. Of course, they have a vested interest in saying this so I thought I'd ask here as well. I'm in zone 9b if it makes a difference. Thanks for any feedback.

 

[cpp gardener]

I’m guessing they want you to remove the big branch on the right side due to being close to the house.
The timing is okay, I would just be careful what gets removed doesn’t leave it essentially leaning to the left. If that’s the case, you might be better off removing the tree and planting another one farther from the house.

 

[Bamboozled]

Hey thanks cpp. The big branch is indeed on the right side, it hangs over into the neighbor's yard, but it's just the area in red below, the blue area will not be trimmed, so I think the tree will be still be in balance:

 

[Chuck]

Big Live Oak trees are trimmed here during the spring and summer months although fall and winter is a much better time. Oak wilt is all over Texas and this is a MAJOR concern when trimming susceptible types of oaks. It is imperative to paint the wound with Tree Wound Dressing or latex paint immediately after cutting the limb.

What type of oak is it? It might be a non-susceptible species and if so no painting is required. I see no other issues reguarding trimming this tree.

 

[Bamboozled]

Makes sense, thanks Chuck- it's a beautiful tree and I'd hate to damage/kill it.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

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

Two well-regarded tree service companies have said it's fine to cut it now

Of course, they have a vested interest in saying this

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.

 

[Bamboozled]

That's too bad about the silver maple. Online reviews may help hold companies accountable, but due diligence is still needed before hiring anyone for such work.

Your native garden is wondrous. I've got wildflowers going but you've inspired me to plant more- Cheers!

 

[cpp gardener]

That looks okay. I was afraid it would be the whole branch in blue. Where are you in CA? if you're coastal it could be a small issue, but if you're more inland it should be okay.

Which tree companies did you consult with?

 

[Bamboozled]

SF East Bay Area. Consulted with The Forestree Company, Tree Decisions, and two smaller outfits. I'm more coastal than inland, and if it wasn't an insurance issue I'd probably wait, but it sounds like the risk is low.

 

[cpp gardener]

Probably OK. Just don’t paint the cut with anything that would seal it. Ask about a fungicide application, but if they don’t recommend it, go with their advice.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

The big durmast at the end of our garden had a lot of lower branches removed and the canopy lifted a bit later than was recommended and was fine, big trees can cope with quite a lot, but the tree surgeons said leave it a year or two now before thinning and shaping the higher canopy. We were using well recognised local people with a good reputation who certainly don't have a shortage of work around here.

 

[Chuck]

Probably OK. Just don’t paint the cut with anything that would seal it. Ask about a fungicide application, but if they don’t recommend it, go with their advice.

Do we know what kind of tree it is and is it suceptible to Oak Wilt and is Oak Wilt in the area. If the answer is yes then the OP MUST paint and seal the wound. Fungicides do not work against insects and insects are the primary means of the transmission of Oak Wilt

 

[cpp gardener]

I'm pretty sure it is a Coast Liveoak, Quercus agrifolia. Oak Wilt is not an issue here, only in the East. Here we mostly have issues with mildew causing witch's brooming. If humidity is high or there is rain it can be a real problem.

 

[Bamboozled]

Thanks all for the feedback. Been told by multiple people in the field that it's a live oak. Just to clarify, all but one of the branches to be cut are the small diameter branches hanging over the house. I cut a fair amount of them with a 16' extension pruner, they are not big branches and if I could safely reach higher I'd cut them myself.

The one larger branch is about 6" diameter and will be cut back about 10' so it's not overhanging the neighbor's yard. The people who came out to quote said sealing was not necessary, but I'll confirm this before signing an agreement.

cpp, I can see why sealing might be unnecessary, but I can't see why it would be bad. I'm sure there are valid reasons not to seal, otherwise I'd guess that it would be done as a matter of course.

 

[Chuck]

Thanks all for the feedback. Been told by multiple people in the field that it's a live oak. Just to clarify, all but one of the branches to be cut are the small diameter branches hanging over the house. I cut a fair amount of them with a 16' extension pruner, they are not big branches and if I could safely reach higher I'd cut them myself.

The one larger branch is about 6" diameter and will be cut back about 10' so it's not overhanging the neighbor's yard. The people who came out to quote said sealing was not necessary, but I'll confirm this before signing an agreement.

cpp, I can see why sealing might be unnecessary, but I can't see why it would be bad. I'm sure there are valid reasons not to seal, otherwise I'd guess that it would be done as a matter of course.

You ONLY seal a trees wounds if there is no other choice. Sealing a wound slows the healing process. Coastal Live Oaks ARE susceptible to Oak Wilt but only moderately so. If there is no Oak Wilt in your area then no problem, but if there is you MUST seal the wound or you will be taking a big chance as this is the time of year when the insect that is the vector for this disease is the most prevalent.