Why Should You Consider Hiring Professional Tree Services?

Why Should You Consider Hiring Professional Tree Services?

It is no easy task to keep up with the ever-demanding needs of a house. There are several DIY jobs you can do around the yard. However, tree services are something that is best left to the professionals. This is especially true for tree pruning service. You should not undertake tree removal or stump grinding on your own as well.

These are a few reasons why you should consider hiring tree care experts to take care of your yard.

Tree Work is Rife with Hazards

Tree work is among the most dangerous chores around the house. You can find it difficult to identify tree hazards especially when undertaking chopping tasks. Most trees don’t show outwardly signs of damage. However, they can still present a danger. An experienced arborist knows the kind of signs to watch out for.

They know which tree is diseased and with what. They know if a tree is decaying on the inside while still looking vibrant outside. You may not realize that the tree in your yard is almost rotted. But, a tree care expert would know that. Often, tree care requires working with overhead power lines or other similar hazards. You don’t want to undertake these jobs on your own.

Professionals Have Deep Tree Knowledge

Different tree species in DFW area have different needs. You don’t just need extensive knowledge of tree biology. But, you also need to have an in depth knowledge of the various techniques in tree care. You may end up damaging the tree if you don’t know what it needs. Sometimes, incorrect care can do more harm than good. Some things are best left to the professionals and tree care is one of them. This is particularly relevant where watering, mulching, planting, trimming, and removal is concerned.

Experience Matters with Trees

There are several tasks that require an experienced tree care expert. Tree removal or trimming is not as easy it looks. There is a lot to it than just sawing off branches. You shouldn’t let a tree branch fall just anywhere. It could cause property damage or personal injury. It takes a certified arborist to understand the nature of a tree and take adequate precautions while performing a task.

For instance, during tree removal the tree care expert would use a combination of ropes and tools. At the same time, while trimming, the professional would know which cuts to use and how much to trim. They will also identify potential signs of injury or damage to the tree. Professionals know how to keep an eye out for insects, pests, infections, and diseases. Improper pruning has been known to kill a tree. Professional tree services will make sure your trees remain healthy and vibrant.

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How to Make Leaning Trees Straight?

How to Make Leaning Trees Straight?


Nobody ever wants a leaning tree in their yard. They want their trees to grow tall and straight. This is where tree cabling and bracing comes in helpful because Mother Nature always has other ideas. Wind, snow, rain, and storms can cause the best and strongest of trees to develop a lean. Younger trees are particularly susceptible to tilting and growing in a leaning fashion.

Should You Cable and Brace?

To stake or not to stake is a major dilemma faced by most tree care experts. Arborists believe that trees grow best when they are not cabled or braced. However, there are several circumstances in which guying or staking is the only thing that would prevent the tree from leaning or getting uprooted. You should get a professional in to have a look at your trees to check whether cabling and bracing is required or not. Generally, this method is employed on thin stemmed trees that may bend because of the canopy weight or newly purchased trees that have small root balls.

Straightening a Tree

You would want to stake a tree if you want to support it temporarily. This is until the tree’s natural root system can take over. Never leave cabling and bracing equipment in place for more than one growing season. It’s paramount to bring in a professional for the job since they know exactly how much guy rope or stakes to be used per tree.

This is especially important if working on a young tree with a fragile bark. These barks can get sliced or chafed with the wrong type of rope or guy wire. You may end up damaging the tree beyond repair if you put it through too much distress.

Straightening a Tree by Uprooting It

Homeowners should never attempt to uproot a tree on their own, regardless of how young it is. You don’t want to upset the root system. You may just end up killing the tree in your effort of rectifying its lean. It is always recommended to work with a professional tree care expert in such situations. There are several rules that need to be followed while straightening a tree which has been uprooted.

For instance, you need to make sure that at least a third of the root system remains planted in the ground. Exposed roots of the leaning tree should not be overly damaged and must be left undisturbed. You should remove as much soil as possible from the exposed roots and straighten the tree gently. Replant the tree below grade level and pack the soil firmly. The situation is hopeless if the tree is lying on the ground with firmly planted roots.

The post How to Make Leaning Trees Straight? appeared first on Chippers Tree Service.

Expert Tree Trimmer in Texas

Expert Tree Trimmer in Texas

Tree trimming or tree pruning, is one of the many tree care services that influence the health and appearance of a tree. At Chippers Tree Service in the Dallas Fort Worth Metro, each of our qualified arborists is an accomplished tree trimmer, capable of pruning your trees with skill and flair to boost their health and enhance their appearance.

Our trimming services include deadwood removal, removal of broken or diseased limbs, thinning of sucker growth, and balancing of the canopy. Your trees will definitely be much happier and healthier once one of our expert tree trimmers takes care of them.

Why Is Tree Pruning Necessary?

Pruning a tree with care and expertise is akin to an art form. Our expert arborists prune tree limbs not only to improve tree health but to also provide them an appealing visage. Pruning, when carried out with an accomplished hand, can help save a tree by removing diseased branches or limbs.

A critical part of a successful pruning job is to prevent the exposure of a tree’s cut areas to diseases and pests. The skillful arborists at Chippers Tree Service in Dallas-Ft. Worth TX are well-trained and know how to prune trees without clearing away excessive live foliage.

Trees are prone to get heavy over time if not maintained and are more susceptible to break with the accumulation of excess weight. Large branches and limbs can cause permanent damage to the tree when they break, with the tree unable to grow back in the same manner.

Is There a Right Season for Tree Trimming?

Most trees are dormant in the winter, with very little activity and much less leaf cover, allowing for much better visibility of their structure. We recommend pruning during the winter season as the trees have a better rate of recovery.

What Is the Right Way to Prune a Tree?

The goal of an arborist while trimming a tree is to make sure not to damage or split the trunk during limb removal. Our expert tree trimmers follow these three steps to prune a tree safely:

The Notch Cut

At the first stage of pruning a tree, our arborist targets the bottom of the limb, while ensuring that the distance between the cut and the trunk remains about three feet. The depth of the notch cut is roughly a quarter of the way through the limb.

The Relief Cut

In the next stage of pruning, the arborist will cut straight through the limb, just outside the initial notch cut. This is done to offset the weight of the limb so that the limb does not split and cause damage to the tree when our expert tree trimmer inflicts the final cut.

The Final Cut

The execution of the final cut determines the quality of a trimming job, as our trained arborist sets out to administer the final cut. While it’s critical to target the spot where the branch bark and the tree collar meet, the cut needs to follow the slant of the branch collar.

We at Chippers Tree Service, and our team of expert tree trimmers, care about the trees in Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding areas.

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How to get rid of elm leaf beetles

How to get rid of elm leaf beetles

Effective elm leaf beetle treatment options to consider

Over the warmer months of the year, there are all sorts of pests and creepy crawlies that come out to play in your backyard. Aside from gobbling up some of your favourite veggies, there isn’t too much you have to worry about when it comes to pests. Some are just a nuisance. But some insect and bug species can cause serious damage to your backyard if left unchecked.

Pests like citrus gall wasps can cause serious damage to all the citrus trees in your backyard before spreading into neighbouring backyards. There are many other invasive species that can cause damage to your trees. One species that’s been causing major issues with local backyards in Australia is elm leaf beetles. Ask your local arborist or tree care expert and they’ll tell you elm leaf beetles are one of the most common tree pests in Australia right now.

How to identify elm leaf beetles

Elm leaf beetles were originally native to Europe before they were introduced to countries like the United States and Australia. Today they are now a common pest for many elm tree species. So if you have an elm tree growing in your backyard it’s best to look out for signs of an elm leaf beetle infestation before it’s too late.

Identifying elm leaf beetles in your backyard can be easy when you know what signs to look for. When larvae (baby elm leaf beetles) start to hatch they begin feeding on leaves. They start off by chewing the underside of leaves. Usually, the only thing that’s left behind of the leaves is the veins. This gives the leaves a skeleton-like appearance. This is your first sign of an elm leaf infestation.

After young elm leaf beetles have gone through their initial feeding phase they go through a pupal phase. They remain dormant until they grow to full adult size. When they emerge as adults they move up the tree and leave circular holes in all the leaves. While leaf damage may not seem that costly, what it can do is jeopardise the health of the tree’s branches. Without healthy leaves attached, the branches of your tree become brittle, die off and can even fall off.

Elm leaf beetles rarely cause enough damage to kill a tree but they should still be cause for concern. The damage they cause can leave your tree susceptible to other pests which can quickly take over and kill your tree in the process. So when you see the first signs of an elm leaf beetle infestation it’s time to act before more pests damage your tree further.

How to prevent elm leaf beetles from coming in the first place

When you first notice the presence of elm leaf beetles it’s important to assess the condition of your tree first. Your elm tree needs to be healthier in order to withstand the effects of pests like elm leaf beetles. There are steps you can take like eliminating drought stress. This involves making sure that your tree is watered on during the dry seasons.

Another way to maximise tree health is to fertilise your elm tree in late winter. Doing this enables a slow release of nutrients. Eliminating dead tree limbs and suckers (new shoots) will help your tree to dedicate more of its energy towards growing a healthier trunk and branches throughout the year. So for an effective elm leaf beetle treatment don’t forget to look after the health of your trees throughout the year.

Effective treatments for elm leaf beetle

While it’s very difficult to completely eradicate elm beetles, there are effective methods for keeping them at bay and preventing further damage to your trees. The most effective treatments for elm leaf beetles usually involves chemical application. Purpose made chemical solutions can be injected into the trunk/stem of your tree or the soil at the roots of it.

Another chemical treatment that can be used to treat elm leaf beetles involves canopy spraying. This method is better utilised for smaller and younger trees during the end of winter and early spring. For treatments like these, it’s best to check in with your neighbour. It makes more sense to treat all trees that are within close proximity of each other. This approach can help to prevent elm leaf beetles jumping from one chemically treated tree to infest another.

There are also non-chemical treatments that some tree care specialists offer. One of these alternatives is called non-chemical control banding. This method works by trapping elm leaf beetle larvae that usually try and migrate down the tree trunk. Applying this banding will help to break the natural lifecycle of the elm beetle so they don’t continue to grow, breed, and invade your tree.

Call in the experts at Daryl’s tree care

One of the biggest challenges of eliminating elm leaf beetles is knowing what type of treatment to use. The type of tree you have, the time of year, and the surrounding environment can influence the decision you need to make. There are also the challenges of using elm leaf beetle treatments safely. Chemicals and equipment can be hazardous when not used correctly.

To safeguard yourself and others it’s best to call in the experts when it comes to elm leaf beetle prevention and treatment. Here at Daryl’s Tree Care, we offer a range of elm leaf beetle treatment options. Our arborists and tree care experts can visit your property and carry out a proper inspection of all the trees in your backyard. They can safely and efficiently identify the best elm leaf beetle treatments for your trees.

If you have any further questions about our elm leaf beetle treatment options then call us today on 9897 4418.

The post How to get rid of elm leaf beetles appeared first on Daryl’s Tree Care And Surgery.

What’s the difference between stump grinding and stump removal?

What’s the difference between stump grinding and stump removal?

Discover which tree removal option is suitable for your tree.

When it’s time to remove a tree from your home there are a few crucial steps you need to take. The tree should be inspected and removed by a professional. Arborists specialise in the maintenance and removal of trees. They understand how a tree grows along with the most effective way to remove them.

What’s also important is safety. When a tree is removed correctly it needs to be done with the right safety practices to ensure no one is at risk of harm. When a tree is not removed correctly there can be a risk of injury. This often occurs when people use the wrong tools or misuse equipment.

Another factor to consider is the potential damage to your property. Your tree may be close to an easement, water pipes, or electrical wires. You could run the risk of damaging these property features if you don’t check the ground near your tree. After most of the tree has been removed from the ground up, it’s important to focus on the tree stump.

A professional Arborist will use a number of tools and equipment to safely remove a tree stump. Depending on the type of tree and its size there are a number of ways that a tree stump can be removed. The two most common methods are stump grinding and stump removal.

Why does a tree stump need to be removed?

A tree stump that gets left behind can cause a number of issues in your backyard. It won’t just take up space and create an eyesore. Stumps that get left behind will decay over time. As the roots start to rot they become a breeding ground for fungus and pests like termites.

The roots will also continue to become an obstacle for any construction or renovations such as installing fencing, concrete or pavers on the ground. It’s obstacles and issues like these which encourage people to book a tree stump removal service.

Stump grinding

Using specialist machinery, a professional Arborist will grind down whatever is left of the tree stump. The stump can be reduced down to ground level or up to 12 inches below so it can be well hidden. This process allows you to re-turf or build over the site. Another great outcome is that the portion of the stump removed is reduced to mulch which can be recycled for gardening.

After the process of stump grinding, you will still have the tree’s root system in the ground. So unfortunately, the roots will still be in the way if you ever want to dig underground and install something new such as a decking post.

Stump removal

Compared to grinding, stump removal is far more complex. It involves the process of removing the entire stump from the ground. This process includes removing the root system. Stump removal is commonly chosen by an Arborist when they have assessed the roots pose an issue to your garden.

In some cases, tree roots may become infected, spreading fungus and attracting pests to your garden. Even after the majority of the tree has been removed, it’s still possible that it can grow back from the stump. It’s just another reason why some Arborists recommend a complete stump removal. This process eliminates the possibility of the tree ever growing back.

Which one is the best choice for me?

The choice between stump grinding and stump removal really comes down to what you’re planning on doing with your backyard. Some people remove a tree for aesthetics. They want it out of the way so it doesn’t have a drastic effect on the look of the backyard. Other times someone may choose to remove a tree that poses a threat to safety.

If a tree collapses, it can cause costly damage to your property. Another reason to remove a tree may be to eliminate the threat of pests. In some cases, a tree can become home to invasive insects like termites or elm leaf beetles that could migrate to other trees or your property to cause more damage.

A professional Arborist can assess the health of your tree and let you know whether a stump removal or stump grinding service is more suitable for your tree. At this point, it’s also best to let the Arborists know what your plans are for the area where your tree currently is.

Get professional advice from Daryl’s Tree Care

Here at Daryl’s Tree Care and Surgery, we have a team of dedicated and professional Arborists. Our Arborists can come to your property and assess the condition of your tree. They can recommend either a stump grinding or stump removal service based on your needs.

Our team of professionals have the equipment and the expertise to carry out a thorough removal of any tree stump in your backyard. So call us today on 9897 4418 to get your tree assessed and removed professionally.

The post What’s the difference between stump grinding and stump removal? appeared first on Daryl’s Tree Care And Surgery.

When Is the Right Time to Remove A Tree?

When Is the Right Time to Remove A Tree?

When Is the Right Time to Remove A Tree?

 

What if you had a ticking time bomb in your garden?

That is what it can feel like when deciding to remove a tree. Few homeowners know the right time to remove potentially dangerous or unwanted trees. if you wait too long, or go about removing it the wrong way, you can cause some serious damage.

So, when is the right time to remove a tree, and what is the safest way to do so?

Continue reading to discover the answers!

 

Threats: When to Remove a Tree Right Away

Many different factors determine when you should remove a tree. But it is arguably most important to know when you must remove unwanted trees ASAP.

Generally speaking, you should have trees removed right away if you can see that it has any upheaving roots. It is always important to remove trees that are leaning because if they should fall, this may pose a significant risk to your home.

And even if it does not look like it could hit your home, beware of trees that might pose a risk to other structures (like storage sheds or even your neighbour’s home). If the tree looks like a threat, it must be removed right away.

 

Remove a Tree That is Infected

We have established that you need to remove trees right away that pose a real threat. But that threat is not always as obvious as a leaning tree. Sometimes, the threat comes in the form of infection.

If you notice that a tree has some kind of infection or disease, it is important to remove it right away. Why? Because left unchecked, the afflicted tree might spread infection or disease to other trees.

The trick is to recognize these infections and diseases before it is too late. If you cannot spot something like oak wilt or emerald ash borer, then the damage may be done before you realize the tree needs to be removed.

 

The Best Season to Remove a Tree

We have covered the situations where you need to have a tree removed ASAP. But if the tree you want to remove isn’t diseased, infected, or posing a risk to a building, then when do you need to take it down?

If you do not mind waiting, it is generally best to remove trees during a dormant season. This is the period between late winter and early spring, and it is easier to remove trees during this time.

Why? At this point, the tree will have shed its leaves and will be much lighter and easier to move. We still recommend that you hire a professional (more on this in a bit) but removing trees during the dormant season makes the whole process easier and more efficient.

 

Busting a Seasonal Myth

Some homeowners are shy about hiring tree surgeons or other professionals because they want to save a bit of money. And that brings us to another major question: is there a time of year that it is always cheaper to have trees removed?

Despite popular belief, the honest answer to this question is “not really.” Typically, professionals charge you based on many factors that have little to do with the season or time of year. This includes things like the type of tree, the size of the tree, and the tree’s location.

If I wait until the dormant season will it speed up the process? Probably. But it is not necessarily going to be much (if at all) cheaper to remove a tree during winter than during summer.

 

lternatives to Removing a Tree

If you are reading this, then you have got removing a tree on your mind. But it is important to figure out whether you need to remove the entire tree or simply prune it.

For example, you may want to remove a tree because unwanted branches are now hanging down and scraping your car in the driveway. But professional pruning can take care of the tree branch while still leaving the tree standing.

It is possible to do some light pruning work on your own. However, aggressive pruning can cause damage to the tree. For best results, we recommend hiring a professional tree surgeon.

You can have a tree pruned most times during the year. But you should try to avoid any pruning of a tree right after its spring growth period because this causes stress and damage to the tree.

 

Truly Delicate Work

When we talk about pruning a tree, you might think that this is easy and simple work. However, the entire process is more complex and more delicate than you might have previously imagined.

First, you need to have the right tools. Many homeowners do not already own proper tree-pruning tools. And if you use the wrong tools, you might end up damaging the tree.

Second, you need to understand the important differences between the trees. Some types of trees (like conifers) will need almost no pruning while others will need constant care throughout the year.

Finally, you need to understand the way different trees react to pruning and the risks this may pose. Some trees bleed sap during pruning, and this poses a potential risk of infection to the pruner as well as the tree.

 

Why Hire a Tree Surgeon?

We have mentioned the need to hire tree surgeons for things like pruning and tree removal. But what is it that makes hiring a tree surgeon worth it?

Such surgeons already have all of the tools and equipment they will need. By hiring their services, you save money on buying many tools of your own. And you do not have to worry about storing those tools all year round.

Tree surgeons also have the experience to do the job quickly and efficiently. And they know enough about local laws and ordinances to remove your tree in a way that does not put anyone in legal danger.

Finally, tree surgeons understand tree health. They know how to prune trees without harming them and how to remove diseased trees without endangering other trees.

 

Your Next Move

Now you know when to remove a tree. But do you know who can help you do it?

We specialize in tree pruning, tree removal, tree lighting, and so much more. To see what we can do about your trees, come request a free quote today!

 

Article was written by Conner D.

Article Source: https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/remove-a-tree/

Tree Surgery Waste & Its Use for Biomass Fuel

Tree Surgery Waste & Its Use for Biomass Fuel

Tree Surgery Waste & Its Use for Biomass Fuel

 

We are living in an ever-changing environment – even if the change is slow. There are various reasons behind the changes – both man-made and natural – and these are making changes that are hard for the environment to deal with.

The major issues are pollution and climate change. While many (including scientists) cannot agree with the reasons behind climate change, it is evident that we are facing a huge global challenge.

 

What Is Tree Surgery Waste?

Tree work waste generally belongs to one of three categories:

TimberWood chipNon-chippable waste (e.g., minor pruning, hedge trimmings, sweepings from the ground).

 

How Can Tree Surgeons Help?

Tree surgeons can adjust their practices to adopt which are more environmentally friendly. One of the ways they can do this is by turning the ‘green waste’ they produce into fuel.

 

How Can Green Waste Be Fuel?

For trees to grow, they use carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon gets used in the tree’s structure during growth. It is locked up into the molecules that build the tissues of the plant, for example in cellulose. When the tree reaches felling age and becomes fuel, it re-releases its CO2 collected over the years into the atmosphere. This is then re-used again by other growing trees.

When fuel is from a sustainable source like wood, it is great for the production of something called biomass. This means that branches and logs are reduced to chippings, which are then used by power stations to generate electricity. Biomass is both clean and sustainable.

Of course, the whole process needs to have a low carbon footprint, otherwise, the whole process will be a waste of time. This means that the processes of felling, extracting, chipping, and transporting to end-users need to have low carbon footprints.

 

How Is Green Waste Turned into Chips?

This is a really simple process. Wood chips for power stations and small boilers must be a consistent size. The sizes can vary between 30 mm and 50 mm per chip. When burning wood chips in boilers, we also need to be mindful of the chips’ moisture content. For the boilers to be as efficient as possible, the wood chips must have a moisture content below 30%. To ‘dry out’ the wood, it is stacked up so that there is sufficient aeration.

 

How Does Chipping Happen?

A woodchipper or tree chipper reduces the wood to small chips. Chippers are usually portable and are mounted on frames with wheels that can be towed. Generally speaking, the power is provided by an internal-combustion engine. Usually these are between 3 and 1000 horsepower or 2.2 kW to 750 kW. Higher power chippers can be mounted on a truck with a separate engine. These usually have hydraulic cranes too.

A wood chipper usually consists of a collared hopper, a chipper mechanism and sometimes a chip collection bin. The collar helps keep unwanted items (like body parts!) away from the blades of the chipper. A tree branch is put into the hopper, goes through the chipping mechanism and the chips come out of a chute. The chips can be directed onto the floor or into a container or truck.

 

How Else Can Woodchips Be Used?

Aside from fuelling boilers and power stations, woodchips can be used to produce mulch for paths or gardens. For woodchips to be converted into mulch, they will be stored for a few months so that they compost. If you spread fresh mulch on gardens, it could have adverse effects on any plants growing there. This is because the bacteria that break the wood down uses nitrogen, which means this will be stripped from the soil. Allowing the wood chippings to compost before they are used to avoid this happening.

 

What About the Non-chippable Waste That Tree Surgery Produces?

Trimming hedges creates a huge amount of material that cannot be processed by chippers. Also, any materials that are swept up or raked can’t be chipped either because it will be contaminated with grit and soil, which can cause damage to the chipper blades. It is possible to shred non-chippable waste and this can also be used at some power stations as a biomass fuel.

 

What Further Work Can Tree Surgeons Do to Have a Positive Impact on The Environment?

As mentioned above, it is as important to have a low carbon footprint. Tree surgeons can process things in bulk to save energy and journeys. They can also look to sell the waste products like woodchip and mulch locally so that the carbon footprint is reduced in this way too.

 

What Does the Law Say with Regards to Tree Waste?

The law is quite strict regarding tree waste. In England and Wales, tree surgeons must register as a waste carrier (different rules apply to Northern Ireland and Scotland).

This rule applies if tree surgeons do any of the following:

transport their waste.dispose of or transport waste for another person.sell or buy waste.act as a broker for waste (arranging someone else to handle a person’s waste).

 

People who do not register can be fined up to £5000.

There are also different tiers of registration too. For example, a garden landscaper or tree surgeon who is carrying green shrubs or waste they have removed is classed as being in the lower tier while carrying away construction materials would be classed as being in the upper tier.

There are exceptions, however, with mulch for example. You are allowed to store and use up to 100 tons of mulch each month. You can also store or treat up to 500 tons of waste plant matter or wood every 7 days and can keep it for 3 months. There are other exemptions too.

 

Tree Surgery Waste – Final Thoughts

It is great to see that so many solutions are now available for tree surgery waste. Whether chipped for biomass fuel or used as mulch, tree surgery these days can help the environment. As long as tree surgeons abide by the laws and try to keep the whole process as carbon neutral as possible, there is no reason to worry about the environmental impact of the wastes they produce.

 

Article was written by Conner D.

Article Source: https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/tree-surgery-waste/

Tree Emergencies and The Effects of Storms on Trees

Tree emergencies and how to deal with them.

 

Storms can affect trees in different ways. The effect is influenced by lots of factors including wind direction and speed, rain duration and intensity, location, health and age.

Trees are great at adapting to a change in conditions but this is a slow process that takes decades; they can’t adapt to a single change in weather due to a storm, of course.

Tree emergencies due to storms can take many forms. Storm damage is often different from the damage caused by floods. Of course, both can happen simultaneously.

 

Tree Emergencies Caused by Storms with Flooding

Lots of places around the world have natural floods annually. The shrubs and trees native to these parts have been able to adapt to prolonged periods with their roots submerged.

There are problems if non-native species are introduced in these areas because they have not adapted to being submerged in water since their native areas do not experience flooding.

When the soil is waterlogged, there is a decline in its ability to sustain life. This happens because the available air in the soil is swapped for water. This means that the roots do not have access to essential oxygen supplies.

This means that damage can happen in as little as three hours. Being submerged in water kills the tree’s fine root hairs. This means the tree’s water-absorbing ability is seriously affected. It cannot take up nutrients and water until the water level falls.

When a tree is deprived of oxygen, there is a build-up of gases that lead to the larger tree roots dying. This can affect the tree’s stability.

What’s more, flooding causes the soil’s structure to deteriorate. Particles of clay lose their stickiness, which reduces the soil’s aptitude to grip onto the roots. This means that trees are more likely to fail at the root plate level.

Floodwater also affects the pH of soils. This means that the levels of nutrients and minerals could be affected.

All in all, when soils are flooded, there is both a long-term and immediate effect on tree longevity and health. The longer the flood persists, the worse the problem.

 

Flood Stress Seen in Trees

Tree flood stress is not always visible immediately. It manifests itself in a variety of ways, including:

A reduction in the size of leaves for new growthYellowing of leaves (chlorosis)Epicormic branch and stem growthsCrown diebackLack of new leaves in spring or defoliationEarly change of colour in autumn as well as early falling leavesProlific mast or seed crop the year after the flood

 

Care for Flood-Stressed Trees

Caring for a tree after floods impacts on its survival chances as well as the tree quality that remains.

Here are some steps to help:

Remove any build-up of sand or silt so that the soil is back to its normal level. Make sure you also look to cover any roots that have been exposed. This should be done with topsoil.Incorporate organic or composted material like mulch into the topsoil to improve its structure. Make sure you do not damage any roots. Professional tree surgeons will use something called an ‘air spade’ for this task.A layer of mulch or other organic, composted material will help the soil to retain its moisture. Try not to add anything like fertiliser because it uses a lot of the tree’s energy.Watch out for colonisation. Stressed trees often have trouble fighting off secondary organisms like insects, fungi, and bacteria.

 

Storms with no Flooding

When there is no flooding, the main issue with storms is the wind. Trees are susceptible to storm damage when the force of the wind exceeds the tree’s structural strength. This type of storm damage is very obvious; you will often see large parts of the tree snapped or even a whole tree uprooted.

Some storm conditions might cause less obvious damage. Limbs and stems can have fractures while remaining intact. Trees also might be uprooted partially but don’t fall over. There might be broken branches that haven’t fallen.

If the storm involved lightning, you might notice large wounds in the tree’s bark. Lightning strikes can also result in the tree’s destruction. Once subjected to a lightning strike, there is not much that can be done to help a tree.

Luckily, it is rare to see such major storm damage and proactive, expert tree management means you can reduce the risks.

 

Why be Proactive?

Proactive tree work is cost-effective since you can protect your trees with the highest risk and greatest value. Tree work can be scheduled and planned and will avoid those emergency call-outs (and their cost) if there is storm damage.

Unfortunately, with climate change, we are likely to see lots more unsettled and stormy weather. If we want trees to survive well, we need to make sure they’re inspected frequently and well managed.

It’s a good idea to seek comprehensive tree assessments with experienced tree surgeons and tree consultants. They will be able to advise tree owners and help them keep their trees safe as well as healthy.

According to statistics by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there are around 5 or 6 people killed each year in the UK due to falling branches or trees. Around 3 of these occur in a public space.

Of course, this makes the risk of being killed or struck by a tree extremely low; these numbers mean the risk is about 1 in 10 million. Despite the low level of risk, we need to consider how the public perceive the level of risk, especially if there has been a recent incident. Thus, tree owners should take great care in ensuring they look after their large trees.

 

Final Thoughts

While typical weather events can help to strengthen trees, excess forces or waterlogging from storms can cause problems. With consistent conditions, trees can adapt and initiate developmental changes to compensate for changing weather patterns.

Thanks to their biological engineering, they can adjust to loading, if the conditions are typical. When storms, floods, ice, or snow occur, the trees might not fare well. Extreme forces cause damage, injuries and even tree death. You can protect your trees with regular tree care by expert tree surgeons.

 

Article was written by Louise W.

Article Source: https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/tree-emergencies/