Extreme Weather Effects on Trees—and How We Can Help

Extreme weather like storms, floods, droughts and heavy winds can wreak havoc on even the strongest trees. After trees experience the effects of severe weather, you’ll want to contact an experienced tree pruning service in Watertown, MA to inspect the tree and perform any necessary repairs, if it is possible.

Different types of weather can cause different types of damage. Often, you will need the help of a tree trimming service immediately to remove broken branches. Here are some of the effects extreme weather has on trees, and how to help those trees heal.

Severe storms

Severe storms can cause a lot of damage to the exterior of your trees, like broken branches, cracked trunks, stripped bark or severe damage to the crown. This damage can make the tree look misshapen or unbalanced, and may leave many downed or hanging branches. If more than 50 percent of the crown is lost, the tree may not survive.

Additionally, winds can uproot trees and cause root damage, making the tree unstable. Wounds in the tree can also increase the likelihood of insect infestations or disease.

To help storm-damaged trees heal, you may need a tree trimming service in Watertown, MA to remove the broken or dead branches. They also may schedule crown restoration for a later time to help balance it; this needs to happen later to minimize the possibility of over-pruning. A professional should also inspect the tree for root damage and look for signs of pests. Hopefully, your tree will be able to heal the damage over time.

Floods

Trees require water, but too much water can cause severe problems for their health. During floods, a tree’s soil gets waterlogged, reducing its supply of oxygen. Sediment can pose challenges to a tree’s growth environment, such as altering the pH of the soil. Floods also put trees at risk for certain diseases like root rot, and can cause root damage that can lead to instability or death.

After a flood, it’s important to remove the debris around the base of the tree. A tree professional should conduct a soil analysis to determine the soil’s pH and use fertilizer to stabilize it. Tree professionals may also recommend using air spade technology to promote drainage.

Droughts

Much like too much water can harm a tree, too little water can also be detrimental. Droughts can cause root shrinkage or damage and can prevent the tree from healing its wounds. Droughts also cause leaves and flowers to wilt and die.

To prevent long-term drought damage, you should use a sprinkler under the tree to water the roots. You should not hire a tree pruning service during a drought—the tree needs to retain as much of itself as possible at this time. Applying a layer of organic mulch at the base of the tree can help it retain moisture.

If your tree has experienced damage from severe weather, call BBD Tree Service! Our tree trimming service in Watertown, MA has over 17 years of experience providing expert tree care. Call today for a free estimate!

Categorised in: Tree Pruning, Tree Trimming

This post was written by Writer