Fall 2018

Safety:

Storm Damage Prevention and Tree Risk Assessment

We’ve had quite a few bad storms in our region recently and experts predict there will be more this year. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, “winter temperatures will be much above normal for the Atlantic corridor.” This means there will be heavier precipitation, stronger storms and higher winds. It could result in increased storm damage to trees and property.

Now is a good time to ask your arborist to examine the trees on your property. Often times, tree weakness is not obvious and may need a trained eye and specialized equipment to diagnose. Even in cases where the danger can be easily seen, like dead or hanging branches, it is always better to call your arborist to seek an expert opinion.

For mature trees, here are some strategies your arborist may suggest that can prevent or minimize storm damage:

Pruning to remove dead or defective branches that are more susceptible to failure during a storm, especially when a target is involved.

• Performing selective branch-end thinning to reduce drag and wind resistance, mimicking a natural retrenchment process that mature trees follow. This type of pruning can be prescribed for an entire crown or sometimes on individual branches over-extending the natural crown. It can reduce the chances of branch or entire tree failure (uprooting).
• Using cabling to minimize movement and provide additional structural support — especially for trees with codominant branches or trunk attachments with included bark.
• Adding a lightning protection system that will ensure lightning will conduct into the soil without harming the tree or the electrical house components. Very tall trees, especially within 15-20 feet of your home’s foundation, are ideal candidates for this installation.
• If you’ve used Almstead for new tree plantings, your arborist may have already put some prevention strategies in place, such as:
• Picking a location with enough soil volume to accommodate proper root growth as well as canopy size in maturity.
• Ensuring the right tree for the right place — trees that are matched to site conditions such as sun exposure, soil moisture, urban stresses (salt), compaction, drought and unique micro-climates.
• Choosing good quality nursery stock and checking for branch structure defects, trunk injury and girdling roots.
• Managing the site where the tree is planted until establishment which could typically take 3-5 years or more depending upon the size of the tree.