Cutting down a big old oak tree must be a lot of work. It's a good thing that this is usually not necessary. The tree grows beautifully without pruning and only requires corrective pruning in a few exceptional cases: if you want it to develop a certain shape when young and if it becomes annoying in old age.

Oak trees are best pruned when they are leafless

Young, pruning-friendly oak

In a private garden, a tree is rarely allowed to grow as it naturally intended. That's why even in the younger years of the oak people like to use scissors to control their crown structure according to their own wishes. Nothing speaks against it, the branches are easily accessible and the tree doesn't mind the cut.

The best cutting time

The best time to remove branches from an oak tree is early spring, when the days are not too warm. This prevents fungal infections from spreading easily. Section 39 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act stipulates that trees and hedges may only be cut between September 30th and March 1st.

tips

Whenever you cut back thicker branches into healthy wood, you can seal the edges of the open cuts with a suitable wound balm.

Which branches should be removed?

Young oaks are thinned out and cut in such a way that they form a beautiful crown. When cutting, the following branches should be removed as a matter of priority:

  • thin branches on the trunk
  • all dead branches
  • Knots that have grown disturbingly/transversely
  • diseased and rotting branches

tips

Do not cut too hard, because new growth can quickly take over. The new shoots then grow numerous, thin and densely packed. Excessive pruning can cause lasting damage to the tree.

Pruning old oaks

The branches of an old oak tree can quickly become annoying and, for example, touch nearby buildings. Then the desire for their removal is only too understandable. But be careful: In some communities, old oak trees may neither be felled nor pruned without official approval.

Remove deadwood

Mature oaks develop a lot of deadwood, which can easily break off in strong storms. In order to pave the way for the danger of personal injury and damage to property, it should be removed promptly.

It is best to commission a specialist company with these cutting measures, as they have both the necessary equipment and trained staff.

tips

The commissioned specialist company can also obtain the necessary approval from the municipality for you.

Category:

Trees