Knowledgebase

Oak tree pruning #923712

Asked January 16, 2026, 9:01 PM EST

When is the best time of the year to do structural pruning on oak trees in Montgomery County Maryland?

Montgomery County Maryland

Expert Response

According to the Virginia Tech tree pruning calendar, winter is the best time to prune oaks, in part to reduce the risk of wood decay onset (or other infections) as the wound takes time to seal over. Consult a certified arborist about pruning, as they may have particular recommendations based on the pruning needs of an individual tree, but in general, during the next month or so would be fine.

Miri
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied January 19, 2026, 10:37 AM EST

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