Homeowners throughout the Pacific Northwest are well acquainted with winter flooding. When the ground is cold, it can be hard for it to absorb recent rainfall and melting snow. This accumulation of pooling water can then saturate your property causing unwanted damage. While a basement filled with water is an apparent sign of flood damage, less apparent damage can go undetected when it comes to your outdoor landscape. If you have trees on your property, it’s important to hire a certified arborist for a tree care inspection after a winter flood. A winter flood can not only erode the soil but compromise root systems causing a tree to fail. This, in turn, can increase the dangerous risk of it falling and causing harm or further property damage.
At Westcoast Tree Care, we want you to understand the following ways a winter flood can hurt the integrity of your trees while increasing the chances of an emergency tree care removal.
Damaged Root System
Root growth is often reduced when the ground around a tree floods. When soil becomes overly saturated the roots of a tree becomes less reliant to finding water. When a winter flood causes reduced root growth, the health of a tree declines. This can cause it to become susceptible to fungi that can weaken the entire tree. If the root system of a tree becomes excessively damaged, an emergency tree care removal may be necessary to preventing damage to your home and property in the future.
Poor Soil Conditions
Winter floods can harm your soil in several ways. If your property is situated on a hill or near moving water, there is always the risk of erosion. Winter floods can not only erode the soil but expose the root systems of growing trees. Without access to proper nutrients, a tree will eventually die and fall.
Another way winter flooding can hurt soil conditions is by reducing aeration. Pores within the soil that originally held important gasses can become saturated with water. Water clogged pores can then inhibit your trees health and ability to grow. Winter floods can also increase harmful bacteria into the soil while reducing chemical activity and the dispersing of clay particles. That’s why it’s important to have a professional tree care inspection as soon as a winter flood has subsided.
Unsteady & Falling Trees
You won’t need a professional tree care inspection to notice a fallen tree in your yard. Winter storms are known for knocking over trees that are weak, old or have shallow root systems. Not only can a winter flood cause a tree to topple, high winds and heavy snow can also do the trick.
If you find yourself dealing with the unexpected event of a toppled tree, you will need to call a certified arborist for an emergency tree care removal. Attempting to remove a fallen tree can be extremely dangerous that can increase your chances for further damage, personal injury and more. At Westcoast Tree Care, our certified arborist will analyze a fallen tree and plan the best course of action to reduce any unnecessary risk, damage, or time.
Growth Problems
Finally, it’s important to understand that a tree can remain at risk for long-term issues resulting from a single winter flood. When water erodes and shifts the soil a tree must adapt to the new soil conditions. While some trees are able to recover and adapt, others are more likely to die within the next 1 -3 years.
Professional Tree Car Services
Westcoast Arbor Care provides preventative tree care and emergency removal services. If a tree on your property is suffering due to a winter flood contact us at 1.800.767.8733. Our certified arborist is trained to identify warning signs along and any risks of danger when it comes to the safety of your home and loved ones. We also know what it takes to keep your trees healthy and growing for future years to come.
