scrub oak trees. dead tops - Ask Extension
Hello, I have lots of dead srub oak trees on my land near McPhee Revervoir / Dolores Colorado. Some of the oaks have leaves in the middle of the tree ...
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scrub oak trees. dead tops #810978
Asked September 15, 2022, 5:32 PM EDT
Hello, I have lots of dead srub oak trees on my land near McPhee Revervoir / Dolores Colorado. Some of the oaks have leaves in the middle of the tree and the branches on most or all of the trees are dead. Should I remove the dead tops? Or shoul I cut the tree down and have the lower shoots take over? I dont want to loose the scub oaks I just want to make the forest of oaks healthy.
Montezuma County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Patrick,
Thanks for your email.
Yes, it would be a good idea to remove the dead tops on your scrub oak trees. Hopefully, with good maintenance of this removal the tree will be able respond in a healthy manner. Although, the drought conditions do not help with rehabilitation. I would also recommend if you feel the vast majority of the tree is dead, then to just cut it down and allow the shoots to hopefully take off and re-establish a new tree in the that area.
Hope this helps and have a nice weekend!
Gregory
Thanks for your email.
Yes, it would be a good idea to remove the dead tops on your scrub oak trees. Hopefully, with good maintenance of this removal the tree will be able respond in a healthy manner. Although, the drought conditions do not help with rehabilitation. I would also recommend if you feel the vast majority of the tree is dead, then to just cut it down and allow the shoots to hopefully take off and re-establish a new tree in the that area.
Hope this helps and have a nice weekend!
Gregory
