How to.

Mar 14, If you have oaks in your landscape that need pruning and you live in an area of Minnesota where oak wilt occurs, pruning must be done before the oak wilt fungus and it's insect vector become active.

Oak wilt is a fatal disease of oak trees that can be found in some counties of Minnesota. If you live in an area where oak wilt occurs, it is critical to prune oak trees before the high risk. Sep 21, You can safely prune Minnesota oaks in winter and take appropriate precautions as needed to protect the health of your tree. Choose the appropriate tool.

A hand pruner or lopper cuts branches up to 1/2-inch thick; a pole or tree saw is appropriate for branches up to 3 inches; and a chain saw is best for larger limbs. Prune to shape young trees, but don't cut back the leader. Remove crossing branches and branches that grow back towards the center of the tree. As young trees grow, remove lower branches gradually to raise the crown, and remove branches that are too closely spaced on the trunk.

If you prune too late after new growth has started, you can limit the plant’s bloom potential for the year. Pruning in the winter can also help to slow the spread of diseases and pests. In Minnesota, oak trees are affected by oak wilt, a fungal disease that kills thousands of oak trees every year.

This disease spreads through root grafts radiating outward from an infected tree. Apr 08, To help prevent oak wilt, forest health specialists in Minnesota are asking homeowners and landowners to avoid pruning or wounding oak trees in the spring.

High risk months in Minnesota are typically April, May and June. Spring weather promotes the activity of sap-feeding beetles that can transmit the fungus that causes oak wilt disease. Mar 17, Oak wilt is caused by a fungus and is responsible for killing large numbers of oaks every year in Minnesota. It is currently found in central and southeastern Minnesota. Oak wilt is most severe in the red oak family, including northern red oak and northern pin oak.

Don't prune in spring and summer. Oak wilt covers a large area in Minnesota and affects all species of oak trees. Check the DNR website for an up-to-date oak wilt disease map. To manage oak wilt Don't prune oaks from April through July to prevent spread by insects.