Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Friday - July 23, 2010

From: Beloit, WI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Pruning, Trees
Title: Best time of year to trim oak trees from Beloit WI
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

What is the best time of year to trim oak trees?

ANSWER:

In Central Texas, where the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is located, our question is more when NOT to trim oak trees, because of that scourge of red oaks and live oaks, Oak Wilt. We found this site on Oak Wilt in Wisconsin, which includes a map of the counties in Wisconsin that have been affected.In Wisconsin, you should not prune oak trees in April, May, June and July. Nothing should be pruned in the heat of summer, so we would recommend you do your trimming in October or November, when the trees are semi-dormant, but before heavy snowfall impedes your activity.

 

More Trees Questions

Recommend native plants Florida
December 12, 2007 - I live in Fort Meyers Florida. Can you recommend some good native tress and shrubs for my landscape?
view the full question and answer

Box elder beetles in Austin TX
February 02, 2012 - We have an large infestation of box elder beetles. They are crawling all over the yard and sometimes on the outside of the house. When you walk in the yard a cloud of them rises up and fills the air. ...
view the full question and answer

Problems with October Glory maple tree in Evansville IN
June 10, 2010 - We have a 15 yr. old October Glory maple tree. 2 years ago we had a bad ice storm and this tree was covered with 1/2 to 3/4 " of ice. The tree resembled a chicken wishbone with its limbs touching ...
view the full question and answer

Trees to replace ones lost in Westchester County, NY
May 09, 2013 - We lost a large number of trees in the forest adjacent to our home, and I plan to replant them. What species do you recommend to plant the area with natives and to keep it looking "natural."
view the full question and answer

Tree to plant by pool replacing mulberry in Las Vegas
January 18, 2009 - I am looking for a tree to plant between my house and pool. We just cut down a mulberry that was here due to its invasive root system. Are there any plants that can tolerate Vegas weather, provide a...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.