How to Prepare Your Trees for Spring Storms
They say April showers bring May flowers, but they never really prepare you for all that rain. Spring storms can bring heavy rain, strong winds, and even lightning strikes that can damage or destroy trees on your property. Severe Spring storms seem to be pretty common in middle Georgia. It’s April and Georgia has already been hit by tornadoes. It’s important to make sure you and your trees are prepared for these potential hazards in order to minimize the risk of damage or injury. We’ve put together a list of things you can do to prepare your trees for spring storms.
Inspect Your Trees
Walk around your property and take a close look at each tree. Check for any signs of damage such as cracks, splits, or holes in the trunk or branches. The bark on a healthy tree should be smooth and intact. If you notice any peeling or cracking bark, this could be a sign of insect damage or disease. Check for any unusual growths or discoloration on the bark, since this can also be an indicator of health issues.
Check the leaves and branches on the tree. Are they healthy and green, or do they appear brown or wilted? A tree with a thin or sparse canopy may be struggling. You also need to check the roots of the tree since trees with damaged roots may put the tree at risk of falling over or becoming unstable. If you notice any issues, call a professional tree service like Gray Brothers Tree Service to come out and professionally evaluate your trees.
Trim Branches and Canopy
Trees with dense canopies can be more vulnerable to wind damage. Thinning out the branches to allow more air to pass through can make a tree more stable during a storm.
Prune any dead, diseased, or damaged branches from your trees to reduce the risk of them falling during a storm. Remove any branches that are too close to your house, power lines, or other structures. Some branches may be too large or are growing in a precarious place (like close to power lines or your home) to handle on your own. If you have concerns about a tree or branch that may become problematic, call Gray Brothers Tree Service today for a free quote.
Stake Young Trees
Young trees may need extra support during a storm. Staking these trees is a great way to provide support and protection during bad weather.
Make sure you choose the right stakes. You’ll need at least 2-3 stakes made of wood or metal that are tall and strong enough to support the tree. Make sure your stakes are about 18-24 inches from the base and driven into the ground at a 45-degree angle. Once the stakes are placed you can tie the tree to the stakes using a soft, flexible material like tree ties or rubber tubing.
As your tree grows, these stakes will need to be adjusted to make sure they can support the tree and don’t cause any damage to the trunk. Once the tree is large enough to stand alone the stakes can be removed.
Mulch Around the Base
Applying a layer of mulch around the base of your trees can help protect the roots from soil erosion and damage during heavy rain. Mulch can act as a buffer between the tree’s roots and heavy rainfall or strong winds, helping to prevent damage to the tree and its root system.
When mulching around a tree, it’s important to make sure you keep the mulch away from the trunk. Too much mulch can lead to rot or disease. Ideally, create a ring of mulch 2-4 inches thick, around the base of the tree extending out to the tree’s drip line.
Water Your Trees
Adequate water is important for tree health, and it can also help trees withstand storms better. Regular watering encourages the tree’s roots to grow deep and strong, which helps to anchor the tree more firmly in the soil. Well-watered trees are more flexible and able to bend and sway with the wind, rather than breaking or snapping.
Hydrated trees are also better able to absorb the nutrients they need from the soil. This can help the tree to be more resilient and better able to recover from any damage it may sustain during a storm. After a storm, these trees are better able to recover from any damage they may have sustained since they’re better able to produce new growth and heal damaged tissue.
Have an Emergency Plan
You can’t completely prevent storm damage. If a storm does cause damage to your trees, it’s important to have a plan in place for dealing with it. Know who to call for emergency tree removal services and make sure you have their contact information handy.
Gray Brothers Tree Service is available 24/7 for emergency tree removal. If your property sustained damage in a storm, there’s no better company to call. Gray Brothers Tree Service is the best tree removal company in Macon and the surrounding middle Georgia areas. Let them come and make your property safe again.