How to Trim Live Oak Trees in Ft. Worth, Texas

Live oaks require very little pruning.

Live oaks grow throughout the southernmost and westernmost states, but particular care must be taken if you live in Fort Worth, Texas or any of the other southern states where they grow. If you live in warmer climates, you should only trim your live oaks between June and October or between November and February. Live oaks don't need to be trimmed very often, so only prune your oaks if they are at risk of poor health or infections.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning saw
• Pruning shears
• Pruning loppers
• Rubbing alcohol
• Bleach
• Wound sealer
• Black spray paint

Instructions

1. Sterilize your pruning tools. Pour rubbing alcohol over the blades or dip them in a solution of nine parts water to one part chlorine bleach. Let the tools dry before you use them. Keep your sterilizing solution handy if you plan on pruning more than one tree and sterilize your tools between each tree. This will prevent the spread of infection from tree to tree.

2. Cut any branches that crisscross and rub against each other. These branches will strip each other's bark over time, which leads to infections. Look at the two branches and cut whichever one looks weakest. Place your cutting tool so that it is flush with the trunk and remove the branch. Use loppers for thin branches and a pruning saw for thicker ones.

3. Cut away weak or damaged branches. If you experienced particularly windy or harsh weather recently, your oak may have been damaged. Remove any split or broken branches using the same method you used before.

4. Cut off any suckers from the base of the trunk. Suckers are thin, smooth and usually green shoots that are named such because they divert nutrients from the upper branches. Use pruning shears to cut them back as far as you can.

5. Seal the wounds you made with either a wound sealer or black spray paint. If using a wound sealer, follow the instructions on the packaging. If you use black spray paint, spray the wounds so they are completely coated with paint. Sealing wounds prevents infections.

References

• Wynnrock Area Neighborhood Association: Oak Tree Pruning Practices
• USDA Forest Service: Quercus virginiana
• Texas Forest Service: Guidelines for Proper Pruning to Prevent Oak Wilt Infection