Here in Corvallis, Oregon, spring is on its way which means pine and fir trees are starting to topple over. Why? Rain can saturate the soil causing the roots of a tree to slip when the wind pushes on it. If a root system isn’t strong enough, a tree may fall over. That’s why Westcoast Tree Care would like to provide you with the following information concerning the two main reasons why pine and fir trees fall over and what you can do to prevent a hazardous situation like this from happening.
Damaged Roots
Pine and fir trees grow best in the natural setting of a forest, not as stand-alone trees. If the soil becomes disturbed around its root base, it can easily damage the root system and start the process of deterioration. A damaged root system can often be a death sentence for a pine or fir tree. Even compacted soil around these trees can be enough to damage their roots.
Shallow Soil
Pine and fir trees also need deep soil to sink their roots into for stability. The root system of these trees can extend as far as twice the height of a tree. In fact, pine trees tend to have a deep taproot with a much shallower root system. The shallower roots follow cracks and water spots in the soil to quench its thirst.
If a taproot doesn’t have at least two feet of penetrable ground, it’s structural integrity is only found in the shallow roots extending away from a tree’s base. Shallow roots combined with no firm taproot depth can cause a pine or fir tree to fall over under high winds. Even worse, your tree may be located in a less than ideal location which can spell disaster when it comes to potential property damage and harm.
Preventative Maintenance
Plant It Right
It takes approximately 3-4 years for a tree to establish a root structure that will allow it to store enough nutrients and build a wide enough base to grow a healthy canopy. That’s why it’s important to dig a wide enough hole to allow new roots to grow in un-compacted soil. New roots must have the ability to grow out beyond the canopy of a tree.
Plant In The Right Location
Trees need to be planted where they can grow to their full size. This is especially important in an urban environment to give them enough room to establish both a healthy canopy and root structure. Don’t expect a tree to adjust to the buildings located nearby without constant maintenance if it’s not planted in an appropriate spot for its size.
Professional Maintenance
Starting at a young age, structural pruning and preventative tree care are important when it comes to the development of a strong, stable, and mature tree. Not only will this decrease maintenance costs over time, it reduces the risk of tree and limb failures while ensuring a healthy lifespan.
While it’s impossible to prevent all damage from occurring, the ISA Certified Arborist at Westcoast Tree Care can help minimize any potential safety hazards by keeping trees pruned and cared for. Healthy trees are far less likely to fall victim to heavy snow, ice, and destructive winds. This, in turn, will protect your home and loved ones while preventing costly repairs down the road.
Corvallis Tree Care
If you have a pine or fir tree that looks susceptible to high winds, don’t risk any damage. The first step is contacting the certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care to schedule an on-site consultation today. We are Corvallis favorite arborist for a reason: we love trees! And part of loving trees is protecting them like your susceptible pine or fir tree, from the next storm to hit Oregon. Schedule your no-cost, no-obligation quote today by filling out our online form or by calling us at 1.800.767.8733 and keep your trees safe from the storm.
