Oak wilt prevention is critical in Central Texas: do NOT prune oaks February through June. Paint all oak pruning cuts immediately year-round. Travis County and Austin enforce oak wilt suppression zones. Utility trimming by Oncor/Austin Energy/PEC follows right-of-way standards. No county tree-trimming permit required in unincorporated areas.
Oak wilt (Bretziella fagacearum) is a fatal fungal disease devastating Central Texas oaks, transmitted by sap-feeding beetles active February through June. Texas A&M Forest Service and Travis County Extension strongly advise pruning oaks only July-January and painting every cut (including storm breaks) within minutes using latex or pruning seal. Austin Code 25-8-702 formalizes this under its heritage tree protections. Utility line clearance by Austin Energy, Oncor, and Pedernales Electric Cooperative follows ANSI A300 standards; property owners must allow access to right-of-way. Certified arborists (ISA) are strongly recommended for oaks over 19 inches. Heritage trees (24+ inch diameter of protected species) in Austin require permits for any pruning beyond 25 percent of canopy.
Austin heritage tree unpermitted pruning: up to 2,000 dollars per day plus replacement requirement. HOA violations: per deed restrictions. Unincorporated non-Austin: no direct enforcement but oak wilt spread creates civil liability exposure.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Austin, TX
Austin City Code Chapter 9-2 establishes citywide quiet hours from 10:30 PM to 7:00 AM, during which sound plainly audible across a property line in resident...
Austin, TX
Austin enforces Texas Transportation Code Chapter 683 and Austin City Code Chapter 12-5: a vehicle on public right-of-way is abandoned if inoperable for more...
Austin, TX
Austin Land Development Code Chapter 25-2 Subchapter F caps residential fences at 6 feet in side and rear yards and 4 feet in front yards without a permit. C...
Austin, TX
Austin City Code Chapter 3-4 requires dogs in public to be restrained on a leash no longer than 6 feet, with limited exceptions for designated off-leash area...
Austin, TX
Consumer fireworks are illegal to possess, use, or sell within Austin city limits. Violations can carry fines up to $2,000. Permits are issued only for profe...
Austin, TX
Austin imposes no general restriction on year-round lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private residential property. The sign code (LDC 25-10...
See how Austin's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.