The Post-June Green Light: Is it Finally Safe to Trim My New Braunfels Oaks?

For the last five months, we’ve been giving homeowners across Comal County the exact same answer when they call asking us to prune their Live Oaks and Red Oaks: "We have to wait."

But we have good news. June 30th has officially passed, which means the high-risk Oak Wilt moratorium is lifted. As of today, the green light is on. If you've been staring at overgrown branches scraping your roof or heavy limbs blocking your driveway, it is finally safe to get your tree trimming in New Braunfels knocked out.

Why Were We Waiting in the First Place?

Between February 1st and June 30th, the Nitidulid beetle—a tiny, sap-feeding insect that carries the deadly Oak Wilt fungus—is highly active. When a tree is cut during the spring, the fresh sap acts like a dinner bell for these beetles.

Now that the brutal July heat has set in, beetle activity drops significantly. This makes the deep summer months one of the absolute safest times to perform structural pruning and canopy elevations without risking the health of your heritage oaks.

The Instant Impact of a Canopy Elevation

One of the most common requests we get in the summer is a "driveway lift" or canopy elevation. When heavy oaks are left unchecked, their branches droop under the weight of spring growth, blocking vehicle access, scraping Amazon delivery trucks, and suffocating the grass underneath. Take a look at this recent transformation:

Before

Heavy, overextended limbs blocking driveway access and threatening the roofline.

After

Proper canopy elevation clears the hazard while preserving the tree's natural structure.

The 365-Day Paint Rule

Just because the spring moratorium is over doesn't mean we get sloppy. As professional arborists, Timber Love & Care adheres to strict oak wilt prevention protocols year-round.

We don't use climbing spikes on healthy trees, we sanitize our tools between every property, and we instantly paint every single oak cut, 365 days a year. It's the only way to ensure the absolute safety of the Comal County canopy.