Tree Preventative Care During Storms
by David Steg on 03/11/16Its about that time, when our evenings are filled with thunderstorms and gusty winds. We fear that some of these storms can cause severe damage to our trees and landscape. This blog will cover how to care for a tree after it has been damaged in a storm.
- Don’t do it yourself: Tree work can look easy, but this is a very dangerous job and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Hanging branches can look easy to tug at and pull down, but this can cause damage to the person on the ground or the surrounding property. Be sure to contact an arborist, since they have the proper tools to remove branches high in a tree.
- Take safety precautions: Before going near a tree, be sure to look all around and see if there are downed power lines. Also be sure to not approach a tree should their be any branches that could fall and cause injury. Most storm damage incidents will require a chainsaw to move the debris. Do not operate unless you are familiar with how to use one.
- Remove any broken branches attached to the tree: Homeowners can remove the smaller jagged limbs off of a tree. Doing this will help minimize the rick for decay agents to enter the new wound. All of the smaller branches should be trimmed to the area where they join the larger one. Doing this properly will allow for the tree to recover more quickly after a storm. Any large branches should be removed and cut flush against the larger lead or trunk. These larger limbs are very important for the tree health and survival, so contact an arborist for this.
- Repair torn bark: Insects will flock to wounded areas of a tree, especially if the bark is missing. It is important to smooth the jagged edges of the wounds where bark has been torn. Be sure to not expose additional cambium since these are fragile layers that help transport food and water throughout the tree.
- Resist the urge to overprune: At firs the tree may look bare or unbalanced, but don’t overprune the rest of the tree. Tree’s have an awesome ability to recover and grow new foliage quickly.
- Never top a tree: This should never be done to any tree. Untrained individuals may want to cut back additional branches to avoid future storm damage. Topping a tree can be one of the most devastating cuts to a tree and will likely kill the tree with time. The small stubs after topping will grow back, but are even more likely to break during a storm, The tree will need to use its resources to repair the damaged areas, and this would prohibit the tree from doing so. Usually topping a tree will cut back on the amount of foliage a tree can produce and affect the rest of the tree. Always contact an arborist to understand the best options for your tree’s health.
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