Our trees in Woodcreek are under significant duress right now. Years of drought have weakened their natural defenses, reduced their ability to compartmentalize wounds, and made them far more susceptible to disease. At the same time, oak wilt continues to spread throughout Central Texas, and stressed trees are the first to succumb.

This combination means we are in one of the most dangerous periods our oak canopy has ever faced. When a tree is stressed, even small mistakes can have significant consequences.

A single improper cut can attract Nidulid (aka) Sap beetles carrying oak wilt spores. A pruning wound that would normally seal quickly may now remain open much longer, increasing infection risk. Drought-weakened immunity slows tree recovery, making timing and technique even more critical. Over-pruning or incorrect cuts can push a stressed tree into irreversible decline.

This is why DIY pruning or hiring a cheap, untrained tree cutter is especially risky right now. Even a well-meaning resident who knows “a little about pruning” may unintentionally prune during prohibited or high-risk oak wilt periods, fail to clean tools thoroughly enough, leave exposed cuts unsealed, remove too much canopy when the tree can’t spare the loss, or misdiagnose stress symptoms as normal or harmless. If a non-professional damages property or injures themselves, the homeowner can be financially responsible, and your property insurance may or may not cover it.

Why a Certified Arborist Matters

Certified Arborists are tree health experts, trained in tree biology, oak wilt prevention, proper pruning standards and timing, and risk assessment. Their work protects the tree's long-term health and reduces the risk of disease spread or structural failure. This means they don’t just trim; they actually improve the tree's life and longevity, reducing future hazards and costs.

City of Woodcreek Oak Wilt Abatement And Tree Replacement Program

In response to our challenges with oak wilt, the City of Woodcreek offers an abatement and tree replacement assistance program to help residents offset the costs of oak wilt diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. This program supports responsible tree care and makes it easier for homeowners to hire qualified professionals.

You can apply for assistance if you are in the process of:

• Working with a certified arborist

• Have identified oak wilt

• Treated an infected tree

• Performed preventive trenching or injections

• Removed a diseased tree

The City wants to help maintain our canopy—please take advantage of this resource by applying here. Details of the assistance and reimbursement program are included in the application.

Preventing oak wilt and protecting our tree canopy is in everyone’s best interests. Using a certified arborist protects the health of our trees, the safety and value of our homes, and the beauty of our community.