An oak tree is a beautiful addition to any property. However, if not properly maintained it can become an eyesore. Here are a few things you can do to ensure your oak tree stays healthy and thriving.
Key Takeaways:
Pruning during winter: While not all trees should be pruned in winter, there are several types that can be pruned during their dormant period. This includes deciduous trees (those that shed their leaves in winter) and certain evergreens. Here are a few examples: Fruit trees: Prune fruit trees in late winter when they are dormant to promote better fruit production, remove dead or damaged branches, and shape the tree. Deciduous shade trees: Prune deciduous shade trees in winter to remove dead or diseased wood, improve the tree’s structure, and reduce the risk of storm damage. It is easier to see the tree’s branching structure without leaves during winter. Evergreens: Prune evergreen trees, such as pine or spruce, in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. This helps maintain their shape, remove any dead or diseased branches, and control their size. It’s important to note that not all trees should be pruned in winter, as some may be better pruned in other seasons. If you are unsure about how or when to prune specific trees, it’s recommended to consult a professional arborist. Fruit tree pruning
What comes to mind when you think of pruning? For many people, it’s a topiary shrub clipped into an ornamental shape. Though we often think of pruning as an aesthetic practice, it actually serves a much wider purpose. Each pruning cut has the ability to change the growth pattern of a tree forever; making pruning young trees an essential practice in order to maintain health and encourage a strong structure as they mature. Pruning is a common type of tree maintenance which can fulfill different objectives as a tree ages. Objectives are generally established by both a certified arborist and homeowner and can include: Removing broken, dead, dying or diseased branches Establishing a strong growth form (structural pruning) Creating clearance for vehicles or pedestrians Thinning large, heavy branches Reducing risk Establishing pruning objectives helps determine why, when and how a tree will be pruned. Given the lifelong impact pruning can have, every cut should serve a specific function. A good practice is to ask and answer the following question before each cut: I am removing this branch because _____. Structural pruning is a type of pruning that aims to develop long-lived, low-risk, stable trees. Growth defects usually begin to develop at an early age and tend to become worse as a tree matures. Prioritizing structural pruning while a tree is young is important because it can help correct any problems before they progress too far. Once a tree has matured, heavy corrective pruning can cause serious stress. This means that making a small pruning cut when the tree is young ultimately does less damage than making a large one once the tree has started to mature. Structural pruning can help promote proper trunk development, encourage good branching structure and establish permanent branches. Some pruning strategies can include removing branches that cross and correcting double leaders- a leader is the vertical stem at the top of the trunk. Barring a few species, most urban trees should only have one leader but can develop more if unmanaged.
