Forestry -
Ice Storm Damage
Serious Advice to Homeowners About Storm Damaged Landscape Trees
The ice storm wrecked havoc in the lives and on the property of hundreds of
Arkansas citizens. Now that power has been restored in most areas and clean-up
initiated, land and homeowners can begin to assess damage to their landscape
trees.
The good news is that there is no need for homeowners to pay a premium for
services in the first few weeks after the storm, say foresters with the
Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.
In the case of ornamental trees, cleanup and tree trimming doesn't have to be
done immediately unless life or property are threatened.
Storm damage to landscape trees can range from relatively minor damage with
only the smallest branches being injured to splitting of the trunk and uprooting
of the tree.
While minor injuries seldom result in permanent damage to the tree severe
injuries can increase a tree's susceptibility to insect and disease attack
ultimately killing the tree. Damage to landscape trees should therefore be
properly treated and repaired to maintain the health of the tree. Some types of
damage can be treated by the homeowner.
Other more serious damage should be treated by a tree specialist especially
if extensive bracing, cabling of removal of large branches is required. As
always, never try to remove branches or trees from utility lines. Let the
professionals do it. As with all things, there is a right and a wrong way to
repair storm-damaged trees.
First, let's put your mind to rest over what to do about some types of storm
damage. The following categories of storm-damaged trees will survive for now and
can wait to be harvested later when emergency salvage operations are over and;
for forest landowners, when timber prices (and removal costs) are back to
normal:
1) Trees with broken tops which still have four or more live limbs remaining.
2) Trees leaning less than 45 degrees.
3) Windblown trees with roots still in the ground.
Assuming the decision has been made to repair the tree, the next question is:
"Am I capable of repairing the damage myself or should I seek professional
help?" Major repair will undoubtedly require the use of a chainsaw and climbing
equipment. It may be best to have the work performed by a competent
professional.
The names of qualified firms can be obtained from local nurserymen. Also,
look for listings of professionals under Tree Service in the Yellow
Pages. Make absolutely sure that they carry proper liability and workmen's
compensation insurance before allowing them to begin work on the job.
To protect yourself and your property, it's okay to ask for references or
qualifications. You might want to hold on to your money until it has been
completely earned by the person you have hired to do a job. Even under
critical emergency conditions, complete, good quality repairs and tree
removal must be done or more damage and deterioration can appear in the
future.
Again, don't let just anyone with a chainsaw and a truck remove your
landscape trees.
Now let's talk a little about common types of storm damage and recommended
practices to put your yard back into order. For trees with tops broken out,
remove the broken snags down to the next major interior branch. Try not to top
the tree. Topping the tree will result in branches that are weak and prone to
future damage.
If a tree is only partially damaged pruning damaged branches can restore the
tree. First, remove broken and hanging branches to ensure safety and prevent
additional property damage. Second, trees that can be saved should have broken
branches properly pruned using the "natural target pruning method." Correct
pruning is the best thing you can do for your tree. Improper pruning will only
cause more damage to the tree, weakening it further by exposing a larger area of
the tree to decay organisms.
Contact: Tamara Walkingstick (501) 671-2346.
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