After the Storm – Taking Care of Your Trees

Snow, wind, and rain can cause catastrophic damage to your tree, no matter how well it’s been taken care of.

While trees are incredibly strong and can withstand the forces of the elements, even they have their limitations. From a few branches falling to the ground to entire trees toppling over, tree storm damage can come in all shapes.

No one can predict when a storm will hit or how severe it will be, which is why it’s essential to know how to inspect your trees in case of possible storm damage. There area few things you can do to inspect your trees, but it’s good to know your limits.

Professional arborists can complete the work you may not have the tools, machinery, or knowledge for.

Look for Broken Branches

Broken branches are often overlooked but they can be a danger to a nearby structure or anyone walking by.

Breakages can be hazardous to the tree’s health, not to mention unpredictable if they’re affecting larger branches. Trees that have limbs completely broken off are prone to infection and disease which can kill the tree over time.

Hanging branches are incredibly dangerous and should be removed as soon as possible. Loose branches can fall at any moment and cause injury to anyone or anything beneath it.

Inspect the Trunk

Damage to the trunk of the tree may not be as obvious as damaged tree branches. 

Storms that create an excess of weight for the tree to bear can cause the weaker spots in the trunk to crack. It’s important to keep an eye out for these cracks as they’re a sign that the tree is at risk of collapsing.

Look out for cracks that exceed two inches and appear on both sides of the tree or cracks near a decaying or damaged area. A cracking trunk could lead to the tree collapsing at any time, so it’s best to take action quickly.

Pay Attention to Leaning Trees

A common mistake that people make is to assume that if a tree didn’t fall over during the storm, it will continue to hold its ground.

Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. If you notice your tree leaning, even just slightly, it could be weakened. No matter how little it leans, it’s a sign that there’s a crack somewhere within the trunk or it may have loosened at the base, putting the tree at high risk of toppling over.

Enlist the Help of the Experts

After the wind and rain, we’ve had, you’ve likely seen or experienced the negative impact it’s had on the tree’s health and your safety.

While regular maintenance of your trees can help them withstand harsh conditions, there’s no telling how your tree will be affected after an intense storm. Attempting to do repairs on your tree often requires tools such as ladders, saws, and other heavy equipment, which can be dangerous to handle without extensive training and experience.

The proper equipment, along with the experience of professional arborists makes them the perfect people to inspect and repair your trees.