Hurricane season is coming to an end. Fall is here and so are the cold temperatures! If you have any damaged trees, you should have them inspected or removed before winter begins.
All trees have the potential to fail at some level of force from wind, snow, or ice. The problem lies mostly with the trees that have been developed around and had roots cut, crushed, or torn in the process. After this type of storm damage, there may be ensuing decay for the tree. Wood decay can cause trees to break down.
The strength of a tree comes from the quality and quantity of the wood that is present. According to Scientific American, the taller a tree, the higher chance it could collapse during a storm. The trees most at risk are those whose environment has changed within the last 5-10 years on average.
It is possible for trees to topple with little rain or wind if the roots are decayed. The main factor that causes a tree to collapse and have damages is the amount of drainage. If the soil has more water, then the roots can break and fall apart.
In order to figure out if your tree is at high risk for falling, use the following steps to come to this conclusion:
Look at the tree and its environment. Is the tree leaning? Has the lean of the tree increased over a few years? Are there cracks in the stem? Is the crown healthy? Do you notice mushrooms of wood decay fungi on the stem or soil associated with woody roots?
Accessing the health of your trees before the winter is a crucial step in preventing a down tree from falling on your house or damaging other parts of your property. y. After a damaged tree is inspected, it can be determined whether or not it should be removed or treated with a fungicide. If the tree needs to be removed, our tree experts can step in and help you out.
The experts at Hometown Tree Experts can help you diagnose any tree diseases and/or problems with trees that have been damaged. We can also remove a damaged tree that cannot be saved. Click here
Which Trees Fail in Storms
Not all trees carry the same risk. The trees most likely to fail share a few traits, such as a noticeable lean that has increased over time, roots cut or covered by recent construction, large cavities or decay at the base, and co dominant trunks joined by a tight V shaped union with included bark. Fast growing, soft wooded species like silver maple and Bradford pear break apart more easily than dense hardwoods. A tree whose surroundings changed in the last several years, for example one suddenly exposed when neighbors were removed, is also at higher risk because it has not built wind firmness.
A Practical Post Season Checklist
As the season ends, walk your property and note any tree that leans, shows cracks in the stem, has dead branches in the upper canopy, or has mushrooms growing at the base or over the root zone. Look for heaving soil on one side of the trunk, which can signal root failure. Any tree with these signs near a house, driveway, or play area should be inspected before winter loads it with ice and snow.
Hometown Tree Experts can evaluate at risk trees and remove those that cannot be saved. Call 301-250-1033 or visit our storm damage service page.