If you’ve spent any time driving around New Braunfels or the Texas Hill Country lately, you’ve probably noticed how incredible our local tree canopy looks. Our massive Live Oaks and Red Oaks are the soul of our neighborhoods—and they are a huge part of our property value.
But as the weather warms up, those trees face a hidden danger. At Timber Love & Care, we get asked all the time: "Hey, can you swing by and trim my oaks this week?"
From February through the end of June, our answer is almost always: "Let’s wait." Here is why we put the saws away during the spring, and why that's the best news for your trees.
Real-world evidence: Unsealed pruning cuts attract swarms of opportunistic insects.
The Science: Meet the Nitidulid Beetle
Take a look at the photo above. We snapped this recently to show exactly what happens when an Oak tree is pruned and left unsealed during the spring. That vibrant orange center is fresh sap. To us, it’s just a tree limb. To a Nitidulid beetle, it’s a neon "Open for Business" sign.
These tiny sap-feeding beetles are the primary carriers of Oak Wilt spores. They are most active from February 1st to June 30th. They can smell fresh sap from a long distance and can land on a new pruning cut in minutes. If just one of those beetles is carrying the fungus, that healthy tree can be infected instantly.
"Trees don't 'heal' like human skin; they compartmentalize."
What is "Compartmentalization"?
Trees try to grow a chemical and physical barrier to seal the wound off from the inside. The problem is that while the tree is working hard to seal itself, those beetles are still there, invited by that initial scent of sap. This is why we are so obsessive about Oak Wilt prevention here in New Braunfels.
The Timber Love & Care
"Always Paint" Rule
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1
The Spring Moratorium
Unless it is a true emergency, we recommend waiting until the heat of July or the cold of winter to prune Oaks.
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2
Immediate Sealing (365-Day Rule)
We carry pruning sealer on our belts. We paint the cut within minutes—not hours, and definitely not a week later.
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3
Neighborhood Protection
One unpainted cut doesn't just put your tree at risk—it puts the whole neighborhood's root system at risk.
Local, Fully Insured, and Ready to Help
We started Timber Love & Care because we wanted to provide a service that prioritizes the long-term health of our town's trees. We are a two-man team—just us owners, Adam and Kyle—and we treat every yard like it's our own.
Protect your trees. Protect your home equity. We are fully insured and always happy to provide a COI with every estimate.
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Free Consultations for New Braunfels Residents