When It Rains, It Firs: Storm Damage Prevention

Whether it’s hailstones flying from the heavens or winds blowing like nobody’s business, weather can wreak some serious havoc on trees. From fragile willow saplings to hardy oaks, if your trees are hit by a storm, you should always try your best to make sure you and your home are ready for the worst. Use the valuable information we’ve assembled below to learn how you can stay prepared for whatever woes the weather may bring.

Six Types of Tree Damage

Although storms can be unpredictable, knowing the types of storm damage beforehand can help you be better prepared for any incident.

According to the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forest Resources, there are six types of tree damage:

  • Lightning
  • Branch failure
  • Root failure
  • Blow-over
  • Crown twist
  • Stem failure

Out of the 6 listed above, lightning is the most dangerous type of tree damage. If a tree is struck by lightning, the resulting current travels through the entire tree system, ending at the roots and destroying the tree’s tissues with a mixture of electricity, steam and heat. Trees that have been damaged by lightning will often experience water loss, further escalating the downfall of the plant. Furthermore, pests are drawn to a lightning-damaged tree like sap collectors to seeping maples. Unfortunately, because most of this takes place internally, it’s often difficult to identify the extent of the damage by just looking externally. Sometimes trees can begin to die without significant damage having occurred aboveground.

Branch, root and stem failure resulting from storm damage can create irreversible devastation throughout the entire structure of a tree. Additionally, without sturdy roots, life-providing branches or a sturdy stem, a tree cannot thrive. As for blow-overs and crown twists, these types of damage often stem from failures in another part of the tree. For example, a tree with a weakened root system will be more apt to toppling during a blow-over.

Nipping Tree Damage in the Bud

Proper pruning, the careful and selective removal of certain parts of the tree, can help resolve tree damage problems. Knowing whether you have spruce, sycamore, pear or pines, is also an essential part of determining how to reverse tree damage and prevent it. You can install preventative measures, such as lightning protection systems, if you are particularly keen to keeping your trees upright and healthy. Finally, subscribing to a regular routine of watering, fertilizing and pest control can help keep your trees in tiptop condition by. If you would like professional assistance in maintaining the specific types of trees in your outdoor space, contact Premier Tree Solutions at 404-252-6448 or online.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting (A Tree to Fall)

Trees are a perfect addition to any space. They clean the air, provide us with extra oxygen, and even add value (and a little pizzazz) to our homes! Unfortunately, trees can also be a huge hassle when they’re about to fall – sometimes toppling unexpectedly, giving you no advance warning. Luckily, trees that are about to tip over do display a few signs that are easy to spot if you know how to look for them. Check out these common signs that your tree might be readying to go timber.

Keep an Eye on Certain Species

Some trees are much more susceptible to dropping limbs or snapping than others. These include willows, silver maple, box elders, oaks, and sycamores. While any tree can drop a limb, these species may be brittle or subject to summer limb drop, which is when hot temperatures cause them to cast off branches. Keep an extra close eye on these species.

Look for Leans

It is natural for a tree to lean, but when it goes too far, it is more likely to fall. This is especially true when severe weather hits, but a fall can happen any time the tree can no longer support its weight at the unstable angle.

Scan for Splits and Breaks

Split or cracked bark and partially broken limbs are sure signs that your tree is unstable. Particularly when the split or break occurs near the base of the tree, it is in danger of falling.

Check for Dead Areas

Trees with bare or dead-looking branches that don’t leaf out or branches that seem otherwise sickly may have internal damage that reduces their structural integrity. This may be due to disease, old age, or simply due to damage. If you see dead branches but the rest of the tree looks healthy, your tree may need deadwooding, the process of removing dead, diseased, or dying branches from the tree. If the whole tree appears to be dead or dying, contact Premier Tree Solutions for assistance in removal.

Beware Construction Damage

Construction can take a heavy toll on trees, especially if workers aren’t careful. Digging up the ground around roots can shock the tree, and while it may look normal for a while, it might become unstable. Disturbing soil beneath or around roots can also lessen the tree’s stability, leading to a fall later on.

Now that you know the signs, you can watch your trees to keep your home, family, and property safer. Think you’ve got one that’s ready to go any day? Get professional help by calling Premier Tree Solutions today at 404-252-6448 or get in touch online.