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Trimming a Red Oak - encroaching on neighbor's roof #775880

Asked October 20, 2021, 6:58 AM EDT

I have a mature Red Oak, planted in the late '30s or early '40s that is encroaching on the adjacent house. I would like to have the tree trimmed back this winter before the neighbor might consider having someone else do the trimming at an incorrect time and end up infecting the tree with oak wilt. I have not been able to find any information with respect to trimming a mature red oak tree. Can overhanging branches be cut back to about half length (not back to the tree trunk, some of these branches are up to 30+ ft long)? My intent is to have branches trimmed such there are still smaller branches with foliage on the trimmed back branches. One tree service, that gave me a quote, said that the branches must be cut back to the trunk or else the branch will die back anyway. Images uploaded with red lines illustrating where branches might be trimmed off - red brick house is the next house. TIA for any insight.

Macomb County Michigan

Expert Response

Hello

Tree branches can be pruned such that the whole branch need not be removed. Yes, oaks are most safely pruned from Oct 31 to March 15 in order to avoid oak wilt. Get an opinion from a certified arborist— not all tree services have certified arborists.

Consult a certified arborist, a professional who has taken training in care, diseases, pests and passed certification tests. He/she will come on site and give a complete assessment of the tree and a plant care plan, including which branches can be pruned and by how much. Some of these professionals also perform the pruning themselves. Find certified arborists by zip code here—-

www.treesaregood.org

For your reference, here is reliable oak wilt information-

https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/smart-gardening-to-prevent-oak-wilt

https://www.michiganoakwilt.org

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