johnnyray
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Argle-Bargle, Jiggery-Pokery, and Applesauce
Posts: 2,050 
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Post by johnnyray on Aug 9, 2015 19:43:18 GMT -8
Well I'm no expert, especially SoCal but I would say Autumn is the time. If you really like the tree and if it's a big mature tree a certified arborist is the way to go. Is this tree getting water, I would think that the tree is stressed due to the drought.
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tarol
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Redding, CA
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Post by tarol on Aug 10, 2015 6:57:32 GMT -8
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Post by ecocentric on Aug 11, 2015 13:19:05 GMT -8
There are advantages to trimming when the tree is dormant in the winter. Because of couple of oak diseases that are common in your area you might want to consult with a local arborist. Wilt is carried by a beetle, and you should avoid pruning at all if that particular insect is active in your area. They are attracted to the sap that leaks from tree wounds when the sap is flowing. Not every tree trimmer will be as concerned with your trees well being as you are.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 12, 2015 10:37:44 GMT -8
Beware of what the tree thinks is "Winter", in SoCal that might very well be Summer!, especially for a native "Live Oak" (a specific collection of species* not a characterization of it's state) it'll probably be in sync with local growing seasons and that's going to be timed to the rainfall months (Nov, Dec, Jan) more than likely. For ex.: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_agrifoliaherbaria4.herb.berkeley.edu/eflora_display.php?tid=40530CalFlora: www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Quercus+agrifolia+var.+agrifoliaOne bit of caution: "It is important to have clear goals when pruning oaks and not unnecessarily remove green foliage from the interior of the tree. There is evidence (Rundel, 1980) that coast live oak requires an inner canopy of foliage to photosynthesize during high stress summer drought periods. Removal of the inner canopy is thus an additional stress factor that urban oaks do not benefit from. Pruning should accomplish its goals with the least impact to the form, physiology or support (wood) system of the tree. If you are not sure of your motives for pruning an oak tree, don’t do it." ceventura.ucdavis.edu/newsletters/Vol_18_No3_November,_200429830.pdf Yep, "Winter" (aka, the DORMANT period, more importantly) is July and August for the evergreen "Live" oaks: www.californiaoaks.org/ExtAssets/oakcaresec.pdfNow if the tree seasonally loses it's leaves then it's a different type of oak and it will be dormant in the calendar "winter", odds are in response to photoperiod not available moisture... Bottom line: if you have to prune do it when the tree is dormant and that's going to vary by species. |
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Aug 12, 2015 10:47:22 GMT -8
There are advantages to trimming when the tree is dormant in the winter. Because of couple of oak diseases that are common in your area you might want to consult with a local arborist. Wilt is carried by a beetle, and you should avoid pruning at all if that particular insect is active in your area. They are attracted to the sap that leaks from tree wounds when the sap is flowing. Not every tree trimmer will be as concerned with your trees well being as you are. This is very good advice. Do you have agricultural extension agents in CA? They are a great source of such info here in Texas. As EC says, the beetles that carry Oak Wilt are attracted to freshly cut wounds, so it is a good idea with Live Oaks to always paint the wound. You don't really need to buy tree sealer, any old spray paint will work. Here in Texas, summer is one of the better times to prune oaks, as it is too hot and dry for the beetles to be active. Don't know if that is the case in SoCal. |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 12, 2015 12:12:53 GMT -8
Okay let's boil it down: Tree loses it's leaves, prune in Nov-Dec.
Tree DOESN'T lose it's leaves: prune in July-August.
OR, Do you own and use a leaf rake?
If "yes": November-Dec.
If "No": July-August.
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leafwalker
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peace on earth and good will toward all - om shanti
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Post by leafwalker on Aug 13, 2015 8:53:57 GMT -8
Best when cold and the sap is not running. Especially, if big branches.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 13, 2015 15:14:13 GMT -8
Best when cold and the sap is not running. Especially, if big branches. the thing is it's apparent these are evergreen California Coastal (?) Live Oaks which are dormant during the dry Southern California season, which is the warm summer. |
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Post by ecocentric on Aug 14, 2015 5:07:37 GMT -8
You guys are right about the seasons in a subtropical climate where dormancy is during the dry season.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 14, 2015 7:54:17 GMT -8
In San Diego there's two seasons: Green and Brown. Green is during the calendar Winter, Brown is more or less the other nine months....
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