Have you seen a contractor's workers pruning a live oak or a red oak between February and June? Professionals should know better, but unscrupulous “tree trimmers” apparently don't know or don't care.
Do you have a new neighbor who might not know about Oak Wilt and the risk it poses to your neighborhood's oaks? About ten...
Read more
Pruning Season is November through January
The ideal season to prune Oaks is November through January. If this is the year to prune, have you scheduled the pruning some time before February 1?
NWACA recommends employing only certified arborists and working with them to develop and execute on an ongoing schedule your Tree Care Plan that implements the Prevent Oak Wilt Best...
Read more
Austin Heritage Tree Ordinance Now in Effect
On February 4, 2010 the Austin City Council passed a Heritage Tree Ordinance. This ordinance amends the sections of the city code that protect trees, and it adds a new division for heritage trees. In the category of heritage trees, it protects ten species of trees (including...
Read more
Yes, there is still a problem!
Oak wilt has been worked on for years throughout the NWACA neighborhood. Unfortunately, outbreaks continue to happen annually. Over $500,000 has already been spent on trenching projects in our neighborhood, but we must work vigilantly to protect our treasured oaks. Please inform new neighbors who move into the area. Please be careful with your trees...
Read more
Prune Infrequently
Healthy Oak trees require only infrequent pruning every 5-10 years. Obviously, pruning should target dead limbs, limbs growing into buildings or utility lines, self-inflicted wounds (such as limbs rubbing together) and poor structural pattern growth. However, cosmetic pruning to strip small limbs from major branches is normally unnecessary. Trees need internal limbs on major branches...
Read more
Central Texas is in a long drought cycle, despite occasional rain. Dry NWACA landscapes and the homes within are vulnerable to wildfire because we live in a greenbelt with a lot of wildfire fuel in its dead and down material. Our homes are most at risk from flying embers. They can be made relatively safe by removing debris, sealing all points of entry from flying embers, and clearing dead and dry vegetation. If you haven’t yet done so, please get a free home assessment to help you identify your risks. Use the Home Firewise Risk Evaluation form in the Be Involved menu on the home page.