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TysonP
Joined: 12 Aug 2003
Posts: 1
Location: Bells, TX
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| Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2003 10:03 am Post subject: Pruning a Live Oak! |
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| I PLANTED A LIVE OAK 2 YRS AGO AND SEEMS TO BE DOING FINE. THE TREE IS TALL AND NARROW AND WAS WONDERING IF I SHOULD PRUNE TO ENCOURAGE MORE HORIZONTAL GROWTH. IF SO, HOW MUCH AND WHEN. THE TREE IS APPROXIMATLEY 8 FT TALL AND THE CANOPY IS APRROX 2 FT WIDE. |
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Tony M
Joined: 31 Mar 2003
Posts: 1088
Location: McKinney,TEXAS
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| Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2003 1:02 pm Post subject: |
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tysonp-
If the tree had a vote in the matter it would say, "don't touch one leaf, I put them there for a reason and I need all my leaves and branches to build strong roots and to continue the photosynthesis project I'm working on." That aside, you also stand to stress the tree by pruning it and could alter the shape more than you might have wanted to. I would treat the tree with TLC by foliar feeding it, maintaining adequate moisture and not allowing any synthetic chemicals to come in contact with the tree or roots. This will cause it to respond by adding new growth and a more desirable shape.
Tony M |
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senegaltictac
Joined: 06 Aug 2003
Posts: 48
Location: Ft Worth-I30&Hulen
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| Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2003 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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| I remember hearing Howard talk about Live Oaks. If I remember correctly he said for all trees take off only the limbs that interfere with with the house or you. On live Oaks he said that the iinterior limbs need to thinned occasionally because they accumulate many small limbs that die out. Hope I remembered this correctly. If someone else has a better memory please chime in. |
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Tony M
Joined: 31 Mar 2003
Posts: 1088
Location: McKinney,TEXAS
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| Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2003 9:05 pm Post subject: |
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senegaltictac-
I believe you are right but that applies to a mature tree. Tyson has a tree 8' tall and 2' wide.
Tony M |
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senegaltictac
Joined: 06 Aug 2003
Posts: 48
Location: Ft Worth-I30&Hulen
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2003 5:40 pm Post subject: |
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How large does a live oak need to be to be considered mature? I have three that were here when I moved in. Four to six inches in diameter on the trunks, 8 ft wide on the top and 12 to 14 feet tall. I am not sure how old these are. They are pretty thick with small limbs and I was going thin them this fall. My dad has a live oak in Houston that is 20 years old and is 20 feet tall and about 12 inches in diameter. Could I assume mine are half as old as his or would the different soil and weather conditions negate that theory.
I will try to read the complete question with all details in the future. :oops: |
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Tony M
Joined: 31 Mar 2003
Posts: 1088
Location: McKinney,TEXAS
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2003 8:36 pm Post subject: |
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senegaltictac-
I wouldn't associate an age with mature. A mature tree will have branches that may have outgrown their boundaries and need trimming. Examples might be, hitting a part of the house, scratching the car, blocking a view, crossing each other and creating a rub spot, and dying from lack of light in the dense middle of the tree. A young tree rarely has these conditions. Is that a more helpful description of mature?
Tony M |
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senegaltictac
Joined: 06 Aug 2003
Posts: 48
Location: Ft Worth-I30&Hulen
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| Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2003 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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Tony M
Yes that helps a lot. Thank you. |
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rgnank1
Joined: 09 Jul 2003
Posts: 2
Location: North Richland Hills
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| Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2003 5:59 pm Post subject: Mature Live Oaks....to trim or not to trim...or how much |
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We've got two live oaks in the Fort Worth area. One in front and one in back. They're both 25 ft. tall and are about the same wide. They seeem to be getting too wide. Do we trim the wider branches or let them be? The trees are covered with galls. We think since we've lived in the house (3.5yrs), they come back each year. Some of the limbs seem to be growing down too much. Do you suggest trimming some of the lower and wider branches? Will that encourage it to grow up more? Do you suggest a professional do the trimming if we have little experience?
Thanks :) |
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