Pruning your oak trees during the summer months might seem like a good idea. After all, the weather is warm, and the trees are growing, right? Wrong. Summer pruning of oak trees can lead to severe damage and even death. In this article, we’ll explain why you should avoid trimming oak trees in the summer and the risks of ignoring this advice.
Sap Beetles
The summer months attract sap beetles, which are active from April to August and are most active in June and July. These beetles are attracted to the sap that seeps from wounds and holes in trees, including those from storm damage and pruning. The beetles carry oak wilt spores with them and unknowingly infect healthy trees. Oak wilt is a lethal disease that can kill an oak tree in less than a year. This disease spreads quickly from tree to tree, especially through root systems.
To avoid attracting these sap beetles, arborists avoid pruning oaks from April through August when the beetles and pathogens are active. However, some companies still prune oak trees during this timeframe, putting your trees and wallet in danger. If pruning oaks must be done in the summer, make sure the company you hire uses paint to treat fresh pruning cuts. This will reduce the possibility of attracting sap beetles.
Oak Wilt
If one tree gets oak wilt, all oak trees in your yard are at risk, especially Red oaks. You have to remove the infected tree and treat the other oak trees with a fungicide to protect them. And, your arborist may recommend a mechanical intervention since oak wilt most commonly spreads between root systems. These treatments can add up to be costly, as Emily in Akron, Ohio recently learned. Last year, Emily had three red oaks pruned by a local tree company. This spring, Emily’s 100-year-old oak returned with fewer leaves and soon died. The local tree care company didn’t inform Emily that summer pruning of oaks could lead to oak wilt.
If your oak tree was pruned from April through July, watch it for symptoms of oak wilt. You’ll start to see symptoms such as wilting, browning, or excessive shedding of green leaves and branch dieback. If you see these warning signs, scrape off 1-2 inches of bark on a branch that has wilted leaves or premature leaf drop. Under the bark, look for streaking, which is a tell-tale sign of oak wilt.
In conclusion, pruning your oak trees during the summer months can be disastrous. Arborists avoid pruning oaks from April through August when the beetles and pathogens are active, and you should too. If you have oak trees in your yard, make sure you understand the risks of summer pruning and hire a professional arborist to take care of them. By following these simple steps, you can protect your trees and prolong their life. Consult with London Tree Service today if you have any questions!