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.
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