How to Prune Burr Oak Trees
Burr oak or mossycup oak trees are very hardy, large trees that are adaptable to many different environments. They live a long time and develop a root system up to 10 feet deep. The species survives drought and can grow anywhere from prairies to cities. The burr oak doesn't need much pruning but whatever attention it is given will only improve its health, form and life span. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Trim the trees between December and March, which is the season that growth is at a standstill. Pruning them during the growing season can easily lead to disease and insect infestation.
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Prune young burr oak trees as little as possible in their first two years of growing. The roots need time to become established.
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Choose the strongest vertical branch to be the central leader or trunk for the tree. Use shears to remove other shoots that grow next to it, competing with it.
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Do more pruning in the second to fifth years. Cut off lateral branches that grow straight up along the central leader branch.
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Climb a ladder and trim off branches that are too large. They should be less than half the diameter of the trunk.
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Remove branches with V-shaped joints, which are not as strong as U-shaped ones, when the tree is five to ten years old. Use pole pruners to reach into the canopy.
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Raise the burr oak's crown by cutting off limbs that face downward from the bottom of the canopy. Crown raising will improve the tree's shape and allow for clearance below.
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Saw off diseased, damaged or dead limbs as soon as you spot them. Trim them at the point where they meet healthy branches.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear gloves to protect your hands during pruning.
Don't use dirty pruning tools when trimming burr oak trees. They can easily transmit disease.
