You can prune now. I would suggest you get 2 or 3 bids on the job as prices vary.

Penny

Why prune? It's not good for the tree... and it's kind of late now here in Sacramento... trees are starting to bloom. I saw a tree care specialist truck with a bumpersticker that said "Pruning is Cruel" Course I am talking about the 'hatracking" that some people do that is so ugly, not thinning out of certain branches.

If you are going to hire someone, hire a certified arborist, preferably an ISA member. He may tell you your trees do not need any pruning. Al

Thanks for the tips. I did look up arborists in our area. What is an ISA member? I didn't see anyone claiming to have that membership. Is it the same as one who belongs to TCIA? I left messages for 3 people to give us a call. And perhaps I used the wrong word, i.e. pruning, when the trees may need "thinning out." I don't know very much about the proper care of trees, but I don't want the branches to get too heavy and break because we didn't do something to prevent healthy growth.

I also know that our oak needs to be sprayed because in the summer there is a sticky substance on the bark and leaves; there are so many ants on the tree trunk.