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.
See how Travis County'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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.