Because of the lack of sustained freeze in the past winter the insects are really swarming this spring and a lot of spring flush has been defoliated by moths, and the sap feeders such as the nitidulid that are known to spread the Oak Wilt fungi are out earlier too so I would limit trimming live oaks to hazard only, and remember if there is no target there is no hazard, move the targets if possible
Tree's dont need to be thined and raised, people and other plants need them to be thined and raised, mature trees dont respond well to "heavy prunning" in the best climate. Trees feed in layers of food supply in the crown. the outer leaves will not produce in july and aug as the heat increases thier stomata' close to limit transperation, so the lower canopy has to feed the tree and in extreme heat and drought the inner canopy doesnt feed, leaving the only food source the watersprouts along the trunk and stems. also even dead wood shades the dripline, and extream fine prunning creates more wounds than it helps.
I recomend postponement till january, if posible then only dead wood and redundent low hanging and crossing arteries, not removing more than 10-15 % of the foalage and leaving selective water sprouts along the trunk and stems only removing downward sprouts and sprouts in forks.
Paul
