Collin County follows TX A&M Forest Service oak wilt guidance: do NOT prune oak trees between February 1 and June 30 to prevent spread of Bretziella fagacearum. Wound dressing required immediately on any oak cuts year-round. No countywide tree protection ordinance; cities set their own rules.
Oak wilt has killed hundreds of thousands of live and red oak trees across Central and North Texas. Collin County lies in the at-risk zone. Sap-feeding beetles carrying spores are most active Feb-June. If pruning is unavoidable (storm damage, hazard removal), paint cut immediately with latex or pruning paint. Disinfect tools with 10 percent bleach between trees. Chip and burn infected wood within 1 year.
No county citation, but damaged neighbor trees from oak wilt spread may create civil liability.
See how Collin County's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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