Hurricane & Thunderstorm Prep
In the Northern Virginia area, we are blessed with many mature and lovely tree. Majestic oaks, stately white pines, beautiful flowering dogwoods, crape myrtles, Bradford pears and many more species decorate our parks, communities and residential yards.
Mature trees boost the value of residential homes by 10-20%, and they are often irreplaceable. But what about storm damage? Can’t fallen trees and limbs bring about huge expenses and even greater headaches? The answer to this question is “Yes”. Wouldn’t it make more sense to simply remove all the tree from one’s property to be safe?
Well, in a word, no.
The value of mature trees goes far beyond enhancing property values. Just a few facts, below:
- “Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and can save 20 – 50 percent in energy used for heating.”—USDA Forest Service
- “A mature tree can often have an appraised value of between $1,000 and $10,000.” —Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers
- “The planting of trees means improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. This allows more recharging of the ground water supply. Wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams.”—USDA Forest Service
- “In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension.”—Dr. Roger S. Ulrich Texas A&M University
Trees adjust to weather conditions which are typical for their climate. Under normal weather patterns, trees sway in the wind – these movements strengthen the woody material within the stem. It is the aberrant weather and storms that damage or kill trees and brings about property devastation. While there is no way to completely guarantee that a tree will not fall or break up in a storm, there are effective ways a homeowner can minimize potential damage and “weather the storms” with more confidence, while enjoying the many significant benefits of tree ownership.
In abnormal or unusual wind conditions such as hurricanes, tornados or other wind blast, a tree can suffer traumatic limb amputation, can break into pieces, or collapse altogether – especially if rains have heavily saturated the ground with water. There is no controlling where these limbs or trees may fall in those circumstances. HOWEVER there are known hazards that a skilled arborist can identify and correct with proper inspection and direct action:
- Identification and removal of dead or dying trees
- Identification and removal of major deadwood (typically 3″ diameter and larger) which is most vulnerable to wind shear
- Structural trimming to give room to your home and other structures from the anticipated sway pattern of limbs close to those edifices.
- Thin and balance as prudent dense or heavily lopsided tree canopies
- Proper pruning minimizes a number of structural problems which left untreated could cause the tree to become vulnerable to infection, infestation or weakening
And there are things the Homeowner can “do-it-yourself” to enhance tree health and safety:
- Pay attention to the water / hydration needs of all your trees. Water from sprinklers gets absorbed quickly by surface foliage and rarely reaches a tree’s roots. Trees need slow, deep watering if precipitation is less than 1-2″ in a week during scalding hot summer, but also if there are prolonged dry periods during the winter (if the ground is not frozen), during the spring growing season, and in the fall if it is dry. Soaker hoses are the best method for deep watering your trees – be careful not to over-water them, however, or you can invite fungus growth. Be generous but prudent.
- Use only proper mulching techniques at the base of your trees – NO MULCH VOLCANOES!
- Have lightning damaged trees assessed promptly to assess for loss of structural integrity. At the very least, these trees will need careful attention to hydration needs, and probably continued observation.
- Have your mature trees assessed at least every 2 years by a professional arborist. Dad’s Tree Service will provide you with a free assessment and estimate of any recommended work.
- Avoid root damage by construction and renovations. Set a “safe-zone”, aka a “no work zone” around trees near any proposed excavations – at least to the drip line of the canopy.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dad’s Tree Service – we help your trees stand their ground!
