For any homeowner, talking about tree damage can be a difficult subject. Since you’ve invested a considerable amount of time and money into your property (including your trees), seeing them damaged can be very discouraging. That’s why it’s important to have a certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care help you diagnose damaged trees in Port Angeles or decide whether or not they should be removed. Preventative tree care not only ensures the health and safety of your trees but also protects your home and property.
Types of Damage
No matter their size or species, all trees are susceptible to damage. Types of damage to look out for include:
- Damaged tree bark
- Trunk wounds
- Damaged tree roots
- Broken limbs or branches
How Can Trees Get Damaged?
Trees can be damaged due to a variety of factors. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the following things that can cause damaged trees in Port Angeles.
Tree Trimming (or) Pruning Mistakes
At Westcoast Tree Care, we know it can be tempting to trim or prune a tree on your own. Other times, however, we end up hiring some random landscaper to do the job. While it’s always nice to save some money, improper pruning or trimming can permanently ruin the look of your trees while making them susceptible to disease or storm damage. This can ultimately result in a decline in your tree’s health or even death.
Construction
Digging and trenching caused by construction can damage a tree’s root system. Other factors like soil compaction can affect how a tree grows. Even if the damage is slight, a tree can become hazardous over time due to its unseen injuries. That’s why it’s important to have a certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care evaluate your trees before the construction process to see how they will be affected or if they will recover once the damage has occurred.
Impact Accidents
As a homeowner’s worst nightmare, accidents have been known to be on your property. When trees are involved, they are often damaged, uprooted, or knocked askew. That’s why a tree should always be evaluated by a certified arborist after an accident to see if it can survive or if it should be removed.
Storm Damage
From severe winds to heavy snow and ice buildup, trees are susceptible to storm damage due to their height and location. That’s why preventative tree care before and after a storm is important. By making sure a tree is properly pruned and cared for, a tree will remain healthy and strong for many years to come.
Winter Tree Care Protection
Tree Pruning
Prepare your trees ahead of a winter storm by having them professionally pruned by a certified arborist. By having deadwood, diseased branches, and hazardous limbs removed, you will help minimize the risk of winter storm damage. Keep in mind that while it’s impossible to anticipate the disastrous effects of a December snowstorm, it’s still valuable to have your trees professionally pruned to ensure that whatever can be prevented will be prevented.
Protect Newly Planted Trees
Many homeowners in Port Angeles plant new trees during the fall. However, young and recently transplanted trees are especially susceptible to the harsh winter elements. This is because their roots haven’t had enough time to establish before winter. To help protect them, it’s important to add several inches of mulch around the base of a young tree to help insulate and protect them from the freezing temperatures.
Reduce Salt Damage
It’s no surprise that the best way to prevent salt damage is to avoid using salt. While you cannot control what is used on the roads, you can choose alternatives like sand, gravel, or kitty litter on your sidewalks, driveways, and patios. Keep in mind that even salt-tolerant trees can’t stand up to salt damage unless they’re healthy. That’s why preventative tree care is important when it comes to watering deeply and applying mulch properly.
Prevent Winter Flooding
A winter flood can hurt the integrity of your trees while increasing the chances of emergency tree care removal. Not only can winter floods erode the soil but expose the root systems of growing trees as well. If the root system of a tree becomes compromised, an emergency tree care removal may be necessary to prevent damage to your home and property. That’s why you should always hire a certified arborist to inspect your trees in flood-prone areas to prevent damage caused by winter floods.
Westcoast Tree Care
At Westcoast Tree Care, we are experienced professionals that offer a wide range of preventative tree care services for residential and commercial properties. We offer everything from pruning to removal and more for damaged trees in Port Angeles. If you need help diagnosing a damaged tree, contact us by filling out our online form or give us a call at 1.800.767.8733. Our certified arborist will provide you with a no-cost, no-obligation quote while answering any questions you may have.
