Caring For Your Trees After A Storm
Summer is coming, and with the evolution of storm season. Storms can be frightening enough for a homeowner, but if you have mature trees on your property, it can be especially stressful to wonder what the aftermath of a bad storm will look like. How will you care for both your property and your trees to minimize damage and ensure the health of all trees on your land for years to come?
The following tips are designed to help you maintain the look and health of your trees year-round---no matter what type of storm season you see. Take these steps for healthy trees and less damage to your home this season and beyond:
Should you see damage to trees, don’t try to fix it by yourself.
If you see that large overhead limbs are disconnected or dangling, it might be necessary for a professional arborist to remove these branches safely. An arborist knows how branches should be safely removed to maintain the health and integrity of your tree, and he is trained to work with both materials and trees to get the job done right.
Take extra safety precautions.
After a storm, be aware of what is above you and what may be lying on the ground. There may be downed power lines, branches that are about to fall, or that are obstructing your walking pathways. If you see any of these dangerous scenarios playing out around your home, call the proper utility companies and a professional tree care company to address these concerns while you stay safely inside.
Remove broken tree branches that are still attached to your trees.
Removing broken branches and trimming off smaller limbs cleanly is one way to prevent infection from settling into your trees. Smaller branches should be pruned at the joint where they connect with larger ones, and larger branches should be trimmed as close to the trunk as possible. If you can’t perform this type of pruning safely, call in someone who has the tools and the expertise to accomplish this task.
Repair torn bark.
To improve your tree’s appearance and remove any areas where insects or infection can take up residence, use a chisel or sharp knife to smooth areas of the tree where the bark has been torn away. Try your best not to expose the green layer of new bark, as this is the tissue where vital nutrients and water run through the tree, helping to nourish and sustain it.
Try not to over prune.
Once you start cutting back dead and diseased foliage, it can be tempting to keep pruning. Before you know it, you will have done damage to your trees through the process of stripping branches and leaves that were healthy and thriving, and this can negatively impact the whole tree. When in doubt, less is more----if you have any questions about this process, call in your tree service professional, and they can give you valuable tips for pruning.
Don’t top the trees!
Topping is the process of cutting large branches down to the trunk; while it may be tempting to try to start fresh after the devastating effects of a bad storm, it is one of the worst things you can do for the health of your trees. Your tree will need all the resources it can muster after the stress of storm damage. Leaving branches and foliage that protect it and give it vital nutrients and water will ensure that it can regenerate and regrow areas that have been compromised.
Leave the heavy lifting to us!
Don’t deal with storm damage and the potential dangers to you, your trees, and your property! Leave the tough stuff to us---Fey and Son’s Tree Care Service is a team of committed professionals dedicated to preserving and protecting the health and safety of your trees and your home. Our certified arborists are trained to prune, trim, and repair trees to promote their long-term health and longevity. If you have undergone recent storm damage, don’t delay. Contact us today to see how we can help you clean up! Visit https://www.sarasotatreeservice.com/ for more information.