If you’re a Queenslander, you’re probably no stranger to severe storms that arrive in an instant and leave a path of destruction behind them. While you may know how to prepare your home for storm season, did you know that you can help protect trees from storms as well? Doing so could not only save your trees from damage, but it could also help protect your home and property in the process.
What Makes Trees More Susceptible To Damage In Storms?
Sick, damaged, dead or dying trees are highly prone to falling over onto houses and property, losing heavy limbs and branches and basically just being a risk, especially during storm season.
The good news is, that with proper tree care and by taking the right precautions, trees can be less susceptible to storm damage. Here’s what you can do to take every precaution this season.
1. Look after your trees
Probably the most effective thing you can do to protect your trees from storms is to take care of them and keep them healthy, because a healthy tree is a safer, stronger tree that is far more likely to withstand severe weather. It’s always advisable to prevent an incident before it happens by making sure your trees are well looked after year-round. Regular maintenance such as pruning, watering and fertilising will help keep your tree in good condition.
2. Have trees inspected
Don’t make the first time you call an Arborist be the time they need to remove a tree from your roof. Have a professional Arborist do an inspection of your trees as soon as possible. They will quickly be able to spot any issues such as disease and pest infestation, any structural issues with the tree, pruning that is required, whether the tree is in fact dead and at risk of falling over for example, and advise the best course of action.
3. Prune
When pruning is done correctly, it makes the tree stronger by improving its structural integrity, making it better able to withstand storms. Pruning done well removes dead, dying and weak branches, encourages proper growth and promotes good overall structure. Over time, trees become more resistant to storm damage and the number of branches broken in storms will be reduced.
In most cases, tree pruning should only be done by a professional Arborist with the skill and knowledge to use the correct techniques that will benefit your tree. When done incorrectly, pruning can have the opposite effect. Incorrect pruning can make the tree more prone to sickness and disease and compromise its structural integrity which cause it to become weaker and more prone to falling over in severe weather.
4. Help keep roots strong
A tree’s root system is what keeps it anchored to the ground. Trees that have deep, strong roots are better able to withstand storms than those that have shallow, weak roots, as their foundations are far more sturdy and stable.
You can assist with your tree’s root strength by minimising activities immediately surrounding your tree which could compromise the integrity of the soil. Things like construction work, excavations, or other heavy, intrusive activity can damage the soil and root system and should be avoided where possible.
5. Protect tree trunks
You can choose to give trees extra protection by wrapping trunks with a protective material which can help the tree during extreme weather. This can be especially helpful where you have young trees in prone areas, or if very strong wind gusts are forecast. You can also erect a staked tent around the tree to provide shelter from severe weather.
6. Try Anchoring
Another way you can protect trees from storms is by anchoring them with stakes. This is particularly effective if you have young trees that are still growing. Install stakes around the trunk and connect to the tree with string or rope immediately before a storm. This basically helps stop the tree from being blown over by strong gusts of wind by keeping it more stable. Make sure you leave enough room for the tree to bend with the wind, anchoring that is done too tightly can have the opposite effect and make the tree more prone to blowing over. Once the storm risk has passed, be sure to remove the stakes so that they don’t negatively impact the tree’s future growth.
7. Monitor
Keep an eye on your trees. If you notice changes to the leaves, trunk or bark, it could be the sign of a problem. If picked up early, issues can be treated, managed and dealt with before it gets worse, so don’t delay.
Protect Your Trees Today
If you need your trees sorted for storm season, let the professionals take care of it for you. Aussie Tree Solutions have been providing expert tree services to South-East Queensland residents for over 35 years. We provide a full range of services from pruning and mulch to emergency storm damage services, consulting Arborist services and everything in between. Whatever the tree issue, we’ve got the solution!
Call Aussie Tree Solutions anytime, 24/7 and ask for a free quote on our tree maintenance services.