How To Prevent Damage To Your Trees From Severe Weather
If you’ve ever seen a storm hit your area, you know the damage it can cause. Weeds, branches blown across your yard and even entire trees blowing over are just some of the many hazards that can result from severe weather. The good news is that you can prevent some of this damage from occurring in the first place! By focusing on keeping your trees healthy, well pruned and thinned, you can help them become stronger, more resistant to storms.
Winter
Whether you live in a rural or urban area, winter can be a dangerous time for your trees. Ice storms, blizzards and windy conditions can cause tree branches to fall on roads, structures and power lines. Keeping your trees healthy and well pruned helps them survive these extreme weather conditions. Regular care includes foliar feeding, deep root feeding and proper watering in the fall to prepare them for winter. If your trees are young or diseased, they may be particularly vulnerable to storm damage. Having an arborist install steel cables to brace weak limbs can help them stay strong and resilient. And if you’re planting new trees, it’s important to choose species that are native to your region and that can handle the weather conditions in your area. A little extra effort to research the type of tree you’re planting can make a difference in the future.
Summer
Whether it’s a summer heatwave or heavy storm, you don’t want your trees to suffer. You can help prevent damage by ensuring that your trees are well cared for throughout the season. Here are some tips for taking good care of your trees in extreme summer conditions: Ensure that your tree is properly watered during hot and dry weather. You can use a drip irrigation system, a soaker hose, or just running your garden hose on a low setting to get the water deeply into the root zone of your trees. Apply a layer of mulch to the soil around your young trees to protect them from heat and retain moisture. Spread the mulch in a two to three-foot-diameter circle. Leave a space between the mulch and the tree bark, so that moisture does not build up and insects can’t eat the wood. Also, the warm and humid climate of summer is a breeding ground for pests that can destroy your trees. Performing a thorough inspection is crucial during this time of year to catch any infestations before they’re too large to deal with.
Storms
Trees can be damaged by extreme weather, including ice, heavy snow, sleet, and lightning strikes. The most common types of storm damage include weakening branches (especially where they attach to tree trunks), broken branches or trunks, and downed trees. Generally, most trees will recover from these kinds of storms, if they are healthy and not creating hazards. However, if your trees are in poor condition, have disease, pests or are stressed, they’ll be less likely to survive and may require additional care. Before and after severe weather, check your trees for limb breakage, wounds, or leaning. If you see any signs of damage, call a certified arborist for a professional inspection.