Want to learn how to protect trees from hurricanes? You might think hurricanes always kill trees, but that’s not strictly true. While you can’t stop the wind and rain, you can shore up your tree to survive adverse weather conditions.
In this post, Hernandez Complete Tree Service, your go-to emergency tree service in Bryans Road, MD, goes over preparing trees to face the onslaught.
1. Protect the Root System
Whether you’re dealing with old or young trees, the roots are the most valuable player when it comes to surviving bad weather. They provide the stability your tree needs to hold its ground in the face of galeforce winds and ensure it has the resources it needs to recover.
Start preparing now by mulching the tree, using organic matter. This not only preserves moisture and protects the root from excessive heat, but it also provides a barrier against pelting rain.
2. Consider Pruning Your Tree
If you’re wondering how to protect trees from hurricanes, consider pruning them. Pruning a tree regularly removes weak or damaged branches and encourages strong growth. This becomes particularly important before the storm season hits, as the wind can rip off dead and dying limbs and toss them about. The breaks are usually ragged, damaging the trunk significantly. The broken branches might also damage other limbs and property in the vicinity.
Trim away wood that’s:
- Diseased
- Infested
- Dying
- Dead
- Crossing other branches
- Causing significant clutter on the inside
The trick is to keep the canopy open so the wind meets as little resistance as possible when blasting through.
Not sure where to start? A certified arborist can make the right cuts for you. Call us when your tree is dormant or in early spring for the best results. This gives your tree ample time to recover before the storm season begins.
3. Protect the Bark
You can protect the bark by using a material such as burlap or row cover. Both products pad the bark, lessening the impact of flying debris. What’s more important is that this layer can prevent nasty nicks and gashes in the trunk.
While trees are better off without it, they can survive bruising. However, cuts in the bark put the tree at risk of insect infestation and diseases. These are particularly rife during hurricane season, as the weather is perfect for spreading fungi and bacteria.
You can perform this task as soon as you hear a storm approaching. Remove the fabric as soon as possible afterward to allow the bark to dry properly. If it remains moist, there’s a chance that fungi will grow between the trunk and the fabric.
4. Supporting the Tree
By this, we mean staking or using cable supports. Getting this right with a grown tree is tricky, so it’s best to call professionals. The idea is simple enough, as we weave the cables throughout the canopy to strengthen the branches.
We can also brace branches or trunks that might break. Bracing entails attaching a block of wood that acts something like a splint. They hold the tree steady in the chaos surrounding it.
Finally, you can use wooden stakes to support the trunk further and prevent the wind from whipping out the tree.
Contact Us to Get Your Trees Ready for the Next Hurricane
Now that you know how to protect trees from hurricanes, do you need help? Or would you just like to avoid the next tree emergency? Either way, you can rely on Hernandez Complete Tree Service. Call us at (240) 299-4639 to schedule service today!
