Are Your Trees Ready For The Next Big Storm?

There’s an old saying that, "The best defense is a good offense." This applies to the trees in your yard. Remember that snow isn’t our only danger to trees. We get our share of high winds, too.We’ve all seen what these winds can do to our trees. However, there are steps you can take to keep property damage and repair costs to a minimum. Recognizing and reducing tree hazards improves your trees’ health and may actually increase their lifespan. Here are some things you can do to determine whether your trees present hazards:Begin by checking your property for trees that show signs of decay, such as:

• Cracks in the trunks of major limbs
• Hollow, aged, and decayed trees
• Conks on trunk or mushrooms at the base of the tree
• Dead branches
• Carpenter ants, honey bees, woodpeckers and other animals that live in decayed or hollow trees
• One-sided or significantly leaning trees

Before a storm hits, inspect your trees for branches that could cause damage to your property. This includes branches that hang over your house, near the roof, or are close to power lines.Dead, diseased or damaged limbs should be removed, as should those too close to buildings or power lines. In the case of large trunk cavities, the entire tree should be removed. Leaning trees may indicate a root problem, and should be inspected by a professional. If branches are too close to power lines, report it to your local utility company--DO NOT prune the tree yourself.Some species are more prone to storm damage. One of our Certified Arborists can advise you on which trees have the hardiness needed to withstand harsh weather conditions.Following these recommendations will provide you with the best defense your trees can have against Mother Nature’s offense.