clearing property for building

After strong winds have ravaged your neighborhood, it's always smart (when the weather calms down) to take a close look at the trees in your yard. Have any of them sustained serious damage that's threatening to uproot them? Look for trees that have tilted or slanted in the soil while still remaining upright. They may not remain upright for long and can need your help to do so in the long term.

Smaller Trees

Smaller trees can be staked, and you may be able to do this yourself. Metal or wooden poles driven into the soil will lend sufficient support for shrubs and ornamental trees. You'll need three poles to triangulate support. One to two poles will still allow the tree to pull against its stake(s), so three's the magic number. Make sure the stakes are positioned far enough away from the trunk so that you don't sever the root system while hammering them into the ground. The staking material must have some flexibility, so plastic shouldn't be used. Strong twine is acceptable, as are strips of hessian sacks. Repeat as needed for smaller trees that need assistance.

Large Trees

Larger trees cannot be stabilized without assistance. It's simply too dangerous. The tree is at risk of falling, which can cause serious injury and property damage. Call a professional tree service provider. They'll assess the trees in question and may need to determine if some trees have sustained too much damage to be saved. Fortunately, this is unlikely—unless the tree may already have been unwell, due to its age or an infection (fungal or parasitic). An unwell tree may have begun to destabilize before the wind became a factor, so you may be advised to have the tree removed.

Bracing

Assuming the tree can be saved, the tree company will brace it. This is similar to staking, although on a much larger scale that's capable of supporting a far greater weight. Support poles can technically be installed, but trees are often braced with the support of neighboring, undamaged trees. A series of curved bolts are driven into both the support tree and the tree to be braced. A steel strand cable is then used to connect the bolts, which offers both tensile strength and a degree of flexibility. The disturbed soil at the base of the tree is compacted, and the tree will slowly restabilize itself. A follow-up visit will be scheduled to assess the tree's stability and remove the bracing cables.

A tree that tilts after strong wind may not last much longer before it comes crashing down, but this can be avoided with prompt staking and bracing.

Contact a company like Frank's Tree Service to learn more.