View Messages

Return to All About Oak

Pruning Black Oak in August (IL)

[Post a Follow Up] [Post to this category]
From: Catherine Smith City: Edwardsville, IL
Today is Saturday August 9th. Today, while we were away, my neighbor decided to prune my beautiful black oak tree. I don't know why, because it is (or was)beautifully balanced. I read in an article that this is not the correct time to prune a tree, and also about the chances of causing oak wilt. The article was from a Texas University and I want to know if the same rule applies to trees in Mid-Illinois. I do not see where they had treated the branch wound. You help would be appreciated.
	Extension Message From: Jay Hayek Extension Specialist, Forestry Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences jhayek@illinois.edu
Greetings Catherine: Fortunately, the pruning of this black oak falls outside the "typical" Midwest Oak Wilt infection dates of March to early July. Since the pruning occurred outside the infection date, there is no need to seal the wound.
[Post a Follow Up] [Post to this category]