How to ID tree branches for winter pruning?

[BillyB]

One of the problems I have pruning dead branches from oaks is that, by the time the optimal season for pruning arrives, leaves have fallen and it is not necessarily as easy to discern branches that should be trimmed. Of course, one could mark these while the leaves are up for pruning later in the year but many of these branches are not easy to get to so marking alone can pose a significant challenge.

Do you have any tips that might address this problem?

 

[Jason Douglas]

Focus on learning what dead bark and buds on an oak branch look like. Sometimes if it's been dead for a while, there wont be any buds and smaller twigs will be snapped off.

Look for signs of fungal decay fruiting bodies.

Look at the branch collar. Oak is a strong compartmentalizer and many times that collar will show wound wood reaction in that area as it seals off the attached dead branch.

Lastly, dead oak branches get harder that hell when they're dead. Little moisture in the wood and lots of durable lignin.

 

[ATH]

Pruning on sunny days will help as the color differences stand out better.

Also, you don't need to wait until leaf drop. Most species of oak hold their leaves well into the fall. You can prune in early November and most of the leaves should still be on unless it is abnormally windy.