"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 24 May 2007 00:36:10 GMT, "Mike O"
wrote:

I have a large, mature oak tree, about 40 feet tall, the trunk is
about 3
feet thick at the base. The tree appears healthy, but there are a
number
(about 10) dead branches near the bottom of the tree.
Snip
I'd like to remove these dead branches, but I'm not sure when is
the best
time of the year to do this. I've done some searching, and found
information regarding pruning live branches, but not much about
the dead
ones. Some of the articles I've found state to trim only during
winter,
but that would be much harder to identify the dead branches.
Other articles
say mid to late summer (starting late June) is OK.

There are a number of different Oaks, some are more susceptible to
disease than others, so that will have to be a consideration.

In our area (TX), there are primarily "Live Oaks" that keep their
leaves all winter and shed in the spring as they put on new leaves.
There is also a disease called "Oak Wilt" that kills these trees.
These trees should never be trimmed in the spring and summer, only
in the winter. But, small dead branches can be cut without a
problem, so I'd guess since yours are all dead, that you are safe.
But if I was doing it, I'd contact the county extension service or
an aborist for advice. Also, alwasys sterilize your tools with
alcohol.

Bob-tx