Trees in Portland, Oregon are beautiful when they are covered in ice and snow. However, winter storms can also cause a lot of damage. In fact, winter storms throughout America create millions of dollars in damage each year. However, it’s important to know that it doesn’t always take a dramatic storm to harm your trees. Just the weight of ice and snow combined with low winds can take a toll. That’s why our certified arborist would like to provide you with the following Portland tree care tips for winter damage.
Portland Tree Care
How do you know when to call Westcoast Tree Care to access your trees?
- When freezing rain coats the branches of your trees. This added weight can cause them to crack and break.
- When wet, heavy snow piles up on trees. This weighs down branches which stress and break them.
- When heavy winds damage or uproot your trees, which can cause them to fall at any time.
- When excessive snow melts, causing flooding.
After a storm, it’s important to inspect the trees on your property for damage. Take the time to look for the following:
- Small broken or dangling branches.
- Large broken or dangling branches.
- Partially uprooted trees.
While you may think it’s okay to knock heavy snow and ice off your trees, this can actually cause more harm than good. Furthermore, it can cause branches to snap and break unexpectedly, which can result in harm and damage. Strong, healthy branches are resilient and will regain their natural shape when temperatures warm back up.
You can, however, have a certified arborist remove small and larger branches with corrective pruning. Never attempt to do this yourself. Improper pruning can lead to damage, disease, decay, and insect infestation during the spring. It’s just not worth the risk of hurting yourself or damaging your property.
If ⅓ of the branches or the trunk of a tree is damaged, it may have to be removed. You should always contact a certified arborist to evaluate a tree’s condition and have it removed safely if needed. Incorrect removal can be a costly liability and is extremely dangerous. That’s why it’s important to work with a fully insured, experienced professional like Westcoast Tree Care.
Westcoast Tree Care
Contact the certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care for all your pruning and tree removal needs. Our Portland tree care services take safety seriously and offer no-cost, no-obligation quotes. Give us a call at 1.800.767.8733 or fill out our online form.
