When to Trim Trees in North Texas

The short answer: late winter, before new growth starts. February is ideal for most trees in DFW. The tree is dormant, you can see the branch structure clearly without leaves, and fresh cuts heal quickly once spring growth kicks in.

But some trees have specific timing requirements, and getting it wrong can hurt the tree or invite disease.

Oak Trees

This is the big one. Oak wilt is a real threat in North Texas, and the beetles that spread it are most active from February through June. The safest time to prune oaks in DFW is during the hottest summer months (July and August) or the coldest winter months (December and January) when the beetles are least active.

If you must trim an oak between February and June (storm damage, dead limbs, etc.), immediately seal the cut with pruning paint. This is one of the only situations where pruning paint is actually recommended. It blocks the beetles from accessing the fresh wound.

Crepe Myrtles

Late February, right before they leaf out. There's a right way and a wrong way to trim crepe myrtles, and most people do it wrong. "Crepe murder" (chopping the tops off flat) is still everywhere in DFW. It creates ugly knuckles, weak new growth, and more problems than it solves.

The right approach: remove crossing branches, thin the interior for airflow, and take out any suckers growing from the base. If you need to reduce height, cut individual branches back to a lateral branch that's at least one-third the diameter of the branch you're cutting. This preserves the natural shape.

Pecans

Prune pecans in late winter (January through February) while dormant. Focus on dead wood removal and thinning the canopy to let light through. Pecans are prone to branch breakage in ice storms, so removing weak crotches and crossing limbs reduces storm damage risk.

Bradford Pears

These trees are everywhere in DFW neighborhoods built in the 90s and 2000s. They grow fast but have terrible branch structure. The limbs split in ice storms and windstorms constantly. Prune in late winter to remove the worst crotch angles, but honestly, most Bradford pears are better off being removed entirely and replaced with something sturdier.

Dead Wood

Dead branches can be removed any time of year. No timing restrictions. If you see a dead limb, take it out before it falls on something.

Trimming Costs in DFW

Small ornamental trees and crepe myrtles: $150 to $300. Medium shade trees: $300 to $600. Large oaks or pecans requiring a bucket truck: $800 to $2,000. Emergency storm damage removal is usually more due to urgency and access difficulties.