Tips For Trimming Your Black Oak Trees
Posted on: 7 November 2016
If you live on a horse ranch that has a pasture with black oak trees, then it is important that you take the time to prune and maintain your trees each year. While you may be tempted to simply let the oak trees grow and shed their branches in the wind, this is not the best way to take care of your trees. Instead, you need to prune your black oak trees each winter. Regular pruning keeps your trees healthy and greatly extends their lifespan.
Below are some tips to help you prune your pasture's black oak trees like a professional arborist:
Tip: Sharpen and Sterilize Your Pruning Saw
Before you begin pruning your pasture's black oaks, first you need to sharpen your pruning saw and sterilize it. A sharpened saw is necessary so that you get nice clean cuts through your tree's branches. Sterilizing your saw ensures that you do not introduce bacteria or fungal spores into the cut wood on your tree. You can easily sterilize your pruning saw using a solution of household bleach in water. Make sure you dry the blade well so that it will not rust. You should sterilize between trees and whenever you cut branches that appear to have a tree disease.
Tip: Prune Branches Using an Under-Then-Over Cut to Prevent Limb Breakage
When you prune the branches on your black oak tree, you should not simply cut through the branches from their tops. Instead, you need to cut the branch up from the bottom about half way through its girth. Once you have made the undercut, then remove the saw's blade and cut through the top of the branch until it falls from the tree. Using this under-then-over technique will prevent the branches from breaking off and tearing and ensure you get nice clean cuts.
Tip: Make Sure that You Remove the Right Branches
Finally, when you prune the black oak trees in your horse pasture this winter, you need to ensure that you remove the right branches. The branches you should remove include:
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dead branches
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weak branches
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damaged branches
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crossed branches
It is essential that you remove these branches so that they do not break off in the winds and let bacteria or fungal spores enter into the trunk of the tree and possibly kill it. You also need to remove some of the branches from the crown of the tree so that the tree will have adequate airflow through its top.
To learn more, contact a local tree trimming service.
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