Knowledgebase
Pruning an oak tree #857966
Asked January 27, 2024, 6:06 PM EST
Washington County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hello, happy to help.
Late winter is a perfect time to prune them so that the wound heals before the insects that carry the oak wilt disease are out spreading it. Here is a link to pruning pointers with a video if you're interested.
I have a question. I tried to see if the base of your tree has a root flare but the grass was obscuring my view in the photo. Trees need to be planted with their root flares above the soil level. If they're planted too low, their roots may eventually wrap around the trunk causing lots of problems. It takes a number of years for problems to occur so catching it early can really help avoid them. Here is a link to information about stem girdling with photos to help you determine if your tree's root flare is properly set. (You'll need to download the PDF and check the base of your tree against fig. 9 on page 5.) Feel free to reply if you have any questions about this.
Good-luck!
I may have planted it too deep. It was a pencil sized "sapling"(?) I picked up at an Earth Day event at a park many years ago. I don't see any roots at the base of the tree. I clicked on the link, stem girdling, in your response but it didn't go anywhere. Should I dig gently around the base and see where the roots are? Send another photo?
Keith
Since it's a young tree, some photos of the bases of well-planted trees will not look the same as those on mature trees. I'm having a hard time finding a single photo so I apologize for sending you a pamphlet. Figure 1 in this link shows the root flare that should be exposed above the soil line on a well-planted young tree. As the tree matures, the anchor roots will expand and you'll see the tops of them branching out from the flare like spokes on a wheel.
Over the years, debris, including organic debris, and mulch can cover those exposed anchor roots making for another opportunity for stem girdling roots to develop. So check the area under your trees yearly and clear away soil, leaf and twig debris, and mulch. When mulching, make sure to pull the mulch away from the tree's bark and flare. It'll look like a small donut hole with the tree flare in the middle on young trees but that donut hole should get larger as the tree matures because its swelling anchor roots will need to remain at soil level.
If you're unable to tell, I recommend having a certified arborist evaluate your tree. Here is a link to information about how to find and hire a professional.
I hope this helps.
On 02/03/2024 9:54 AM CST Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Looks like I forgot to add that link to finding an arborist. Here it is in case you decide you need more help. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional
