Oak Tree Pruning in McKinney, TX

Oak tree pruning in McKinney gets special care because oaks are among the most valuable trees in local yards and the most vulnerable to a single bad cut at the wrong time. Live oaks are planted in front yards across nearly every newer subdivision, Shumard and other red oaks line streets, and bur oaks and other native oaks still grow on older lots and acreage in Lucas, Fairview and Parker. McKinney's tree preservation ordinance lists oaks among its protected quality trees, and these trees can live for generations if they are pruned well.

Oak wilt and the February to June rule

Oak wilt is a fungal disease that the Texas A&M Forest Service reports in 76 counties of Central, North and West Texas. Sap-feeding beetles carry spores from infected red oaks to fresh wounds on healthy oaks, mainly from February through June, and the fungus also moves between neighboring oaks through connected roots. Red oaks and live oaks are the most susceptible, and live oaks are poor survivors once infected. The Forest Service advises avoiding pruning or wounding oaks from February through June unless there is an immediate safety concern, and painting every wound on an oak, any time of year, including cuts made during ice-storm cleanup.

How oaks are pruned

The goals are the same as for any tree under the ANSI A300 standard: clear the roof and walkway, remove dead and crossing limbs, reduce weight on long horizontal limbs, and keep a strong structure. Live oaks often grow wide, low limbs that reach over roofs and driveways; these are shortened to side branches or raised gradually over a few visits instead of being cut back hard all at once. Young live oaks often need one leader chosen so they don't split later.

Signs of trouble in an oak

• Red oak leaves turning dull green to red-brown from the edges in late spring or summer.
• Live oak leaves with yellow or brown veins, and leaf drop out of season.
• Several oaks in a row declining one after another.

If you see these, avoid pruning that tree or its neighbors and have it looked at. Diagnosis is confirmed by lab testing; the Texas A&M Forest Service runs an oak wilt program and cost-share in some areas.