Prune trees in winter instead of spring to help prevent oak wilt
Now is a good time for tree pruning, while temperatures remain cold, according Oak wilt infected oak leaf. DNR photo to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources tree health experts. "The best time to prune trees in Wisconsin is during winter when a tree is dormant," said DNR Urban Forester Don Kissinger. This is because: Insects and diseases that attack open wounds on pruned trees aren't active in winter, and Without leaves on the trees it is easier to see and prune broken, cracked or hanging limbs. "Timing is especially critical when pruning oak trees," said Kyoko Scanlon, DNR Forest Pathologist. DNR recommends no pruning, wounding, or cutting oak trees from April through July (through October to be extra cautious) to limit the spread of oak wilt, a fatal disease of oaks. Your municipality may have their own oak wilt ordinances that you should follow as well. To help reduce the spread of oak wilt another way, do not move firewood. "Several...