No matter the season, strong storms can break branches, uproot trees, and threaten the safety of your home. While not all storm-related damage can be prevented, homeowners can do a wide variety of things to protect their trees and buildings on their property. That’s why Westcoast Tree Care would like to provide you with the following reasons trees fail during extreme weather and some Salem tree care tips to protect your home and property from storm damage.
Tree Failure Due to Storms
Healthy, well-maintained trees are quite resilient when it comes to extreme weather. However, if a tree has become compromised due to disease or structural problems, storms can cause real problems.
Decay
A decomposing trunk, branches, or root system weakens a tree’s strength and is the most common contributor when it comes to tree failure.
Structural Problems
If a tree’s crown is lopsided, it can cause it to lean to one side. This, in turn, puts undue stress on a tree. Furthermore, a poorly-formed trunk union or branches can increase the chances of failure during strong storms. These structural problems can be especially dangerous for evergreens during a strong storm since these issues largely affect its wind resistance.
Poor Root System
The stability of a tree depends on how deep and strong its root system is. As a tree grows and its crown becomes larger, its roots have to work harder to hold it into place. If a tree has poorly-developed, weak, or decayed roots, even moderate amounts of saturation and wind can cause it to lean or fall over completely.
Storm Damage Protection
Whether it’s due to strong wind, rain, snow, or ice, all trees are prone to some level of storm damage. That’s why preventative tree care practices are so important when it comes to minimizing injury to your trees.
Trim/Prune
Careful pruning by the certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care is one of the most important aspects of storm damage prevention. Proper pruning techniques such as trimming an overgrown crown, the removal of dead, dying, or diseased limbs, and the appropriate correction of unions can restore the structural integrity while boosting wind resilience and improving the overall health of your trees.
Removal
The removal of a tree is sometimes necessary when there is a decline in health or the structural integrity of a tree. The same is also true for decay or significant past storm damage that makes a tree a dangerous threat to your home and family.
Strengthen
Maintaining the health of a tree is the best way to prevent tree-related storm damage. This includes appropriate watering and fertilizing practices to improve root growth and structure, thus making a tree more stable.
Westcoast Tree Care
Selective pruning, trimming, and removal can minimize potential storm damage and ensure the safety of your home and property while preserving the strength, shape, and beauty of your trees. For more information or to request a no-cost, no-obligation quote for any of our Salem tree care services, fill out our online form or give us a call at 1.800.767.8733 today.
