Tree Care Basics: A Starter Guide

Tree Care Basics: A Starter Guide

Storm Damaged Your Trees? Here's What To Do While Waiting For Professional Help

Johnni Knight

While it's fun to watch big trees swaying in the wind during storms, it's not so fun when one of your trees suffers storm damage. The time immediately following big storms is hectic, and you may need to wait your turn in line before the 24-hour emergency tree service can take care of your trees. So what should you do? What should you not do?

Here's what your local tree service would like you to do while waiting for them to arrive on the scene:

Step 1: Evaluate the Immediate Tree Dangers

Two fatal things after severe storms are downed powerlines and falling tree branches. Powerlines are often downed when overhanging tree branches break off in the wind and fall onto the lines. 

Once on the ground, powerlines can electrocute you even if you don't come into direct contact with them. For this reason, before attempting to do any post-storm yardwork, ensure no powerlines are down in your area. If there are, report them to the power company and stay indoors.

If there is no powerline damage, evaluate your trees for branches that have cracked, are dead, or visually appear threatening to fall. You should never do yard work under damaged trees without being sure there's no danger of more branches dropping. If branches are hanging down or otherwise threatening, leave the area and let the emergency tree service safely clean it up.

Step 2: Remove All Fallen Material Under the Trees

If cleaning up your yard is safe and you want to do the work, remove all of the fallen material from under the trees. While the trees will need professional pruning to clean up the damage along their trunks, piling up all the branch litter away from the work area is helpful.

Step 3: Leave the Tree Work to the Professionals

When branches break off a tree, they cause damaging wounds to the tree that are worse than those inflicted by a saw. For this reason, storm-damaged trees must be professionally pruned. 

Proper pruning at this time is crucial for the future growth and health of the tree. Torn branches often tear out branch collars and tear off strips of bark. These wounds are detrimental to the tree. 

Since a tree with too many major wounds may not survive, the professionals must do all they can to save it. If you don't know what you are doing and try to DIY the pruning, you may inadvertently kill the tree.  

For more information, contact a local 24-hour emergency tree service


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Tree Care Basics: A Starter Guide

Proper tree care is an essential part of maintaining your property's appearance and overall well-being. After all, neglected trees can quickly become safety hazards if limbs should fall and damage your property. That's why it's important that you know how to take care of your trees. Luckily, this site is here to help. With the information on this site, you'll be able to better understand the different needs of each type of tree on your land. That way, you can tailor your tree care accordingly and you'll know when you should call a tree service for more help and ongoing care.

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