Winter storms cause tremendous stress and severe damage to trees in the urban
forest. Obviously, a snapped or downed tree should be removed. What about a tree
that suffers minor damage? How can a homeowner tell if a tree is safe?
Assessing the Damage
Minor damage – with only the smallest branches of the tree being injured – usually
results in little or no permanent injury to the tree. All that is required is cleanup of the
broken twigs and branches and perhaps a crown cleaning or thinning prune to restore
a pleasing shape.
More severe damage – large broken branches, split crotches, removal of bark, and
splitting or splintering of the trunk – can be caused by strong winds and heavy ice
storms. When a tree is severely damaged, the first question that must be answered is:
“Is the condition of the tree such that keeping it is worthwhile?” A tree care
professional should be consulted to answer this question. “Most arborists will take the
time and effort to save a tree only if the tree will still be healthy, attractive, and of
value to the property owner after repairs,” explains Peter Gerstenberger, senior
advisor for safety and compliance with the Tree Care Industry Association. A tree care
expert may recommend removal of a tree that has brittle wood and a branch structure
that makes it vulnerable to additional damage from future storms. Trees that have
been topped by storms are prime candidates for removal.
Other factors to consider when determining if a tree is worth saving:
⇒ species ⇒ age ⇒ growing location
⇒ value it adds to the property ⇒ sentimental value
If a tree is not worth saving, remove it as soon as possible. If it is not removed and the
tree dies, it could become a hazard tree. Removal of hazard trees is dangerous to the
tree care crew and requires special techniques, adding to the cost.
Treating the Tree
Assuming the decision has been made to repair the tree, the next question is: “Am I
capable of repairing the damage myself or should I seek professional help?” Major
repair will undoubtedly require the use of a chain saw and climbing equipment.
Unless one is experienced in the use of such equipment and comfortable working off
the ground, it may be best to have the work performed by a competent professional.
Inspect your trees for damage after a storm. If a tree possesses hazards, such as
broken, hanging limbs, or a split branch union (sometimes called a branch fork), you
should have a reputable tree care company give an assessment. This is important
because you could be held liable if the hazard branch or tree falls and damages
property or causes personal injury.
Utility Lines Pose Dangers After Storms
Winter storms season is upon us again, and that spells danger to our urban forest.
High winds, ice and snow put tremendous pressures on trees growing near houses or
power lines. In their wake, property owners face the task of clearing trees and downed
limbs.
“Storm cleanup is often when many property owners crank up their first chain saw,”
notes Robert Rouse, staff arborist for the National Arborist Association. “And, not
surprisingly, they injure themselves.
For those homeowners who do attempt this work—which is not recommended—here’s
a primer on safe tree and brush removal.
If a utility line is down:
- Call the utility company immediately.
- Assume any downed line is energized.
- Don’t touch a tree or anything touching the downed line. Make sure that nobody
else, including children and pets, goes near it. Contact with energized lines can
result in electrocution.
When removing a tree:
- Note the location of other people in the area and plan an escape route from the
falling tree before cutting. - Carefully inspect the tree and the surrounding area for anything—utility lines,
property, vehicles, etc.—that might get hit or interfere with the tree felling or
removal. - Examine the shape and lean of the tree. Inspect the trunk for decay, weak spots
or hanging limbs, and for any metal or concrete in or around the tree. If so, the
tree is unstable, take extra precaution while removing that tree. - Even small trees bent under tension can be extremely hazardous.
Do not use a chain saw for tree removal unless you have years of experience
handling one. Even professional tree care personnel face risk of injury using chain
saws. Tree removals are very unpredictable — don’t take unnecessary chances!
Storms Approaching ... Will Your Landscape Survive?
Late fall and winter are the seasons for some of nature’s most severe weather. Storms
in all shapes and forms create havoc throughout the country. One of the greatest
dangers posed by storms are presented by falling trees. Unsafe trees are
a threat to lives and property.
“Many shade and ornamental trees are damaged throughout the year by windstorms,
lightning or ice and snow accumulations,” notes Peter Gerstenberger, senior advisor
for safety, standards & compliance with the Tree Care Industry Association. “Damage
usually consists of a few broken branches. However, more severe damage – such as
splitting or pulling apart of branch unions, removal of large areas of bark, twisting and
splitting of the trunk, or even uprooting – pose possible dangers.”
A few tree species, including Chinese elm, silver maple, boxelder and various poplars,
have brittle wood that is easily broken. These rapidly growing trees cause a
considerable amount of damage to homes, cars, buildings and utility lines each year.
Homeowners should be aware of these characteristics and avoid planting them close
to potential targets. If such trees are already growing in these locations, preventive
pruning, bracing or cabling may help reduce storm damage this winter. This is
particularly true as the tree grows in size and the weight and surface of the leaf and
branch area increases.
Over the years, growing trees will “catch” more wind and become heavier, so they are
prone to increased mechanical stresses, thus increasing the chances of failure.
Larger trees will also affect an increased area should they or their larger limbs fall.
This means that power lines, homes and other structures that might not have been
threatened a few years ago might suddenly be under threat by a tree that has grown.
Preparing trees for these natural disasters is a must and should be done well in
advance of the stormy season. To help ease these dangers, have a professional
arborist evaluate your trees. Doing this will help you determine potential weaknesses
and dangers.
Look at your trees for the following warning signs:
- Wires in contact with tree branches. Trees may become energized when they
are contacted by electric wires. - Dead or partially attached limbs hung up in the higher branches that could fall
and cause damage or injury. - Cracked stems and branch forks that could cause catastrophic failure of a tree
section. - Hollow or decayed areas on the trunk or main limbs, or mushrooms growing
from the bark that indicate a decayed and weakened stem. - Peeling bark or gaping wounds in the trunk also indicate structural weakness.
- Fallen or uprooted trees putting pressure on other trees beneath them.
- Tight, V-shaped forks which are much more prone to failure than open U-
shaped ones. - Heaving soil at the tree base is a potential indicator of an unsound root system.
Remember, too, that a tree is a living thing, and its integrity and stability change over
time, so don’t assume that a tree that has survived ten severe storms will necessarily
survive an eleventh.
Winter Stresses on Trees & Shrubs
Winter’s heavy snow and ice, as well as frozen soil conditions, can damage cherished
trees and shrubs in suburban landscapes. Even areas without major snowfall
experience high winds and huge fluctuations in temperatures during winter. But
homeowners can lessen the adverse effects of winter weather with preventive
maintenance.
What can happen in winter, and how you can avoid it
Branches of trees can break due to the excessive weight of ice or snow. Proper
pruning encourages the formation of the strongest possible branches and branch
attachments. When pruning alone isn’t enough, properly installed cables and rigid
braces can add support to a weakened part of the tree.
Winter winds cause evergreens to lose moisture from their needles. Even some
deciduous trees suffer from winter drying. If water is not available as moisture is drawn
from living cells, permanent damage will result. The best prevention consists of
planting only hardy species in areas of prolonged exposure, watering plants
adequately in the fall, and mulching to insulate the soil and roots from severe cold.
On sunny days in winter, the tree’s trunk and main limbs can warm to 15 degrees
higher than the air temperature. As soon as the sun’s rays stop reaching the stem, its
temperature plummets, causing injury or permanent damage to the bark. The two
main types of injury are known as sun scald and frost cracking. The effects of sun
scald and frost cracking can be reduced by sound arboricultural practices to maintain
overall health, and also by covering the trunks of young, susceptible trees with a
suitable tree wrap.
Winter is a good time to prune
Most skilled arborists prefer pruning when trees are dormant. With no leaves on the
tree, the arborist is better able to evaluate its architecture and spot dead or diseased
branches. In addition, since the ground is frozen damage to the turf underneath the
tree due to falling limbs and tire tracks is negligible. This is also a good time to check
trees for diseases and other damage.
Here are some other ways to improve the health of your living landscape:
- Aeration around trees helps improve water and air movement in the soil. This
strengthens the tree’s root system and reduces soil compaction.
- When planting, choose hardy trees available in your area as they have better
chances for survival in severe weather conditions. Choosing the best location
and following proper planting procedures should be your highest priorities.
- Stop fertilizing trees in early fall to allow them to prepare for winter.
- In case of moderate storm damage, restoring the tree to its former health and
beauty may take some time, but it generally can make a full recovery. Broken,
hazardous limbs should be removed immediately. Pruning to remove broken
stubs and restore the balance of the crown can be put off a little while, but
shouldn’t be delayed more than one growing season.
| Did a Storm Damage Your Tree? |
| US TREE SERVICE |
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