How to Protect Your Trees from Storm Damage

15 October 2018
 Categories: , Blog

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Storm season can bring gale-force winds and intense rainfall, both of which can represent a serious threat of damage in and of themselves. However, additional danger lies in the pressure that they can place on the trees in your yard. While trees are a majestic and beautiful part of your landscaping design, they can also represent a serious hazard to your home and property due to their large size and heavy weight, which can turn them into battering rams if they are knocked over by a storm. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to reduce the chances of an accident happening.

Tree Trimming

Regular tree trimming is one of the most important maintenance tasks that you should complete since it will keep your trees at low risk of falling over and damaging your home or property. Cutting back branches that hang over your garage, driveway, or roof is a good way to minimize the amount of damage that can occur in the event that a tree does fall over or break apart. Furthermore, keeping branches shorter means that they are not as heavy, meaning they are less likely to break off in a strong gust of wind.

Lightning Rods

You can also install lightning rods and cables to your tallest trees, which will channel the electric charge of a lightning strike into the ground instead of causing a fire that can quickly spread throughout the rest of your property. Depending on the construction and height of your house, you may also want to consider installing a lightning rod on your home as well.

Watch for Damage and Disease

Another important thing to do to ensure that your trees are in good enough condition to weather the next storm is to watch out for any signs of structural damage to the trunk of your tree, as well as any signs of disease throughout the limbs. Fungus growth, dead leaves, wood that is spongy to the touch and falling apart, and holes or other forms of physical damage all point to a tree that is likely not structurally secure, and thus is at a high risk of falling over. In some cases, only a section of the tree needs to be removed; but in other cases, it's necessary to remove the entire tree before the disease or pest infestation can spread to other trees on your property. In order to find out which option is right for your tree, contact a professional arborist.