AEP came by and did a number on my prize Live Oak. I'm trying to figure out if I need to paint the cuts. I've got some 4-6" stumps but they're 20-30 feet high. This tree is in Corpus Christi which I don't believe to be a hot spot for wilt. Also, late July seems to be a decent time of year for this to happen. What would the OB do? Should I break out the paint and ladder?

I always heard you were supposed to cut trees in the dead of summer or dead of winter. Assuming that's the case this is pretty much as summer as it gets.

It might be too late but I always opt to paint and seal any wounds that I can. If it works, it was worth the time. If it doesn't work or you opt not to do it and you lose the tree a couple years later, the results are pretty devastating.

Both Nadler and CrossTimbersW are correct.

https://aggie-hort.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/trees/oakwtmaint.html#:~:text=OAKS%20ARE%20SAFEST%20IF%20PRUNED,get%20visited%20by%20the%20beetle.

That link states the susceptibility period is only about 3 days and I'm well past that. Guess I'll hope and pray at this point.

They should have something in their company policies that address this.

Painting should be the minimum.

I would contact them and at least share your concern and the link above. In case something does happen, you are on record with your concern if you happen to lose the tree and have to claim devaluation.

Wound is typically viable to inoculation from nitidulid beetle feeding for about 36 hours after wounding. Probably too late for painting to provide any benefits from oak wilt inoculation.

Probably too late now. I had some tall oaks that we trimmed in the hill country. Tree trimmer had a paint can holder gizmo that had a lever on it with a trot line line attached to it. The holder would screw on to any pole or handle thread.
He had a telescoping pole that would reach about 20'.
Would put the tree dressing can in the holder…. Raise it up….. pull on the rope and coat the cut.
Worked well.
Just for future needs maybe.

Not to sound callous, but I have yet to see a live oak die after being trimmed. You'll most likely get a proliferation of water sprouts next year.
And AEP cant wait until dormancy, especially in Corpus, to trim a circuit. All of Texas would be in the dark if they did. They have a responsibility to keep the lights on, and their contractors are going to follow orders. They have a job to do, simple as that. Fear not, as your tree will more than likely be fine.

I would not have a tree in the utility ROW

Don't think you'll have an issue in Corpus, unless they used a contaminated saw from points north…