Knowledgebase

Pruning oaks late March 2021 #741368

Asked March 29, 2021, 12:34 PM EDT

Being that spring seems to be quite ahead of schedule, I'm concerned that trimming the lower, smaller branches off the main trunk of mature white and red oaks this week. (Mar 29-April 4) Am I too late? Will sealing my cuts, which I usually don't do when they are high & hard to reach, be a guard against disease in this instance? Especially oak wilt, which has been active in my locale the past couple years.

Washington County Minnesota

Expert Response

Good for you for being conscientious about oak wilt transmission. 

You are correct that there is a high risk and oaks should not be pruned between April 1 - July 1 because the beetle that spreads the fungal spores is active at this time. Also try to avoid construction that might damage oak roots as well during this time. Note that there is even a moderate risk from July 1 - October 31.

According to the Extension Natural Resources, "Spring weather promotes the activity of sap-feeding beetles that can transmit the fungus that causes oak wilt disease. Pruning and cutting oaks in the spring months attract the beetles to these trees. The oak wilt disease can be spread through root grafts from an infected tree."   
It is best to hold off pruning your oaks until November - March. 

If you absolutely must prune your oaks due to damage, access, etc., seal the wound immediately with shellac or water-based paint.

https://extension.umn.edu/natural-resources-news/prevent-oak-wilt

Thank you for your prompt response! You answered my questions clearly & completely. I only wish I had planned this project sooner. Or at least sought advice sooner.
I will heed your advice; try to get it done asap & seal the cuts with shellac. I will plan on a second coat of shellac a day or two afterwards. 
(I may have to put a sponge or brush on a pole to reach and coat some cuts - or I'll hold off on the hard-to-reach ones until next winter.)
I have used the black, tar-like products sold as "wound sealer" in the past. Some were aerosol spray, some brush-on liquid, some stiff enough to need a trowel. I guess I have seen ok results with them; I mean I didn't kill any of the trees or shrubs. However, I have read that most arborists recommend against those products. Can you provide a simple explanation for those warnings?
I will use shellac in this case, regardless. I was just wondering about the tarry products.
In most cases, I have just pruned without coating the cuts with anything. I'm usually working on healthy trees, mostly low branch removal or general shaping, and haven't run into many problems. In the few instances where large, live limbs get cut I do coat the wound.

Thanks again for all your help. 

Sincerely,
- Vic Stark.




On Mon, Mar 29, 2021, 12:30 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied March 29, 2021, 9:49 PM EDT

Research has shown trees heal better when wound dressing is not applied. Thus, it should be applied only when pruning is absolutely necessary at a time when the plant is at high risk for disease / pest infestation. An example would be if your oak lost a limb during a spring storm and had to be pruned. 

Our colleagues at Purdue University have a very good explanation in Tree Wounds and Healing that I find helpful: "There are few ways wound closure can be hastened, or at least not inhibited. First, it is essential to avoid limiting oxygen availability to the wounded tissues. Oxygen is necessary for proper recovery. For example, painting a wound with any kind of material that interferes or impedes oxygen will slow or even prevent wound closure by poor callus formation. Wound treatment with petroleum-based products is not recommended. In fact, research indicates any type of wound dressing can slow the healing process. There is one exception for treating wounds. This is in areas where oak wilt disease occurs, wound paints may be useful in preventing insect spread of the oak wilt fungal pathogen.

Basically, the best way to help insure proper wound closure and quick and effective sealing of the tissue is a proper pruning cut and preventing damage whenever possible."

Hope this helps!

Wow!
That was so incredibly helpful! You explained your answer and backed it with some very goid reference.
I am indebted to you.

Thank you so much,
- Vic Stark. 


On Tue, Mar 30, 2021, 2:17 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied March 30, 2021, 5:25 PM EDT

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