Some Fun Facts on Storm-Prepping Your Trees for the Hurricane Season
What is it that allows a tree to stand its ground in a hurricane when one in the very same yard will not? As summer makes its way in, have you found yourself with an uneasy feeling looking up at the large branches above your roof? You might be asking if the trees on your property are in fact prepared for a storm or if some are a risk in waiting.
For those of us in Brunswick County, they are questions worth considering before the wind starts to blow. A+ Tree & Landscaping has put local homeowners in a position to be storm-ready for 30 years plus; give our team a ring at (910) 507-7273. We are a veteran and family run concern, with a fourth-generation tree climber and ISA-certified master arborist at the helm. In the meantime, we have put together a few facts about prepping your trees that are as useful as they are interesting.
Predictable Failures Among Trees
You would be surprised how often a tree will show its hand well in advance of a storm taking it down. An arborist will see the trouble before the wind does. Some of the more common indicators are:
- Splits or cracks in a limb or the trunk
- Any fungus or mushrooms at the base
- Branches that are dead or hanging and do not put out leaves
- Roots in a state of rot, or ones that have been cut or lifted
- The trunk has a lean of late
- Hollow spots or cavities
Most of these are not apparent from where you are standing on the ground and can be overlooked by a homeowner until the tree has become a hazard.
The Merits of Pruning
In a way it is counterintuitive, but to make a tree better able to withstand a storm you have to take some of its branches away. Wind thinning is what we call it; a good pruning means the canopy is not like a sail to the wind, lessening the strain on roots and trunk.
There is a caveat though. “Topping” or too much pruning will have the reverse effect, promoting weak growth and inviting failure. Trimming is not something for anyone with a chainsaw, it requires an understanding of tree biology.
Do Not Underestimate Root Space
Consider this: the root system of a tree can be two or three times the width of the branches. It is the anchor in a hurricane. Damage from compacted soil or trenching and the like will cause a tree to let go of the ground. So you may have a tree that looks fine on top yet still goes over. A certified arborist can make a diagnosis of what is going on below the surface.
When Cabling and Bracing is the Answer
A tree with heavy limbs or a poor fork does not always have to be removed. With cabling and bracing you can put in place the support it needs to hold up in high winds and keep the tree you have an affection for. If the only safe option is removal, it is preferable to get it done ahead of the season rather than contend with a fallen tree later on. We will also do the stump grinding to leave the yard in order.
Coastal Conditions Are Different
There is a certain stress on trees in Oak Island, Southport, Sunset Beach or Holden Beach that you do not find elsewhere. The salt and sand and the kind of gusts you get off the water can be hard on a species that would do well inland. We know this because we work all over Brunswick County, from Leland and Shallotte to Varnamtown, Supply and Wilmington.
Storms Have No Business Hours
Hurricanes are not known for their timing. A+ Tree & Landscaping is on hand 24/7 so you do not have to learn that the hard way. From emergency cleanup once a limb is down to getting things in order before a bad forecast, we are there. We are fully licensed and insured with BBB and ISA credentials to back it up, and have a 4.9 star rating. Venmo, Cash App, check, cash, Visa and Mastercard are all forms of payment we will take.
Be Ready Before the Season Does
Do not wait until a storm is on the radar to make plans for your trees. Call (910) 507-7273 and we will set up a time for an inspection and free estimate. Our arborist will be out to your property to identify any risks so you can face hurricane season without a worry.
