Making Sure Your Trees Are Safe Following a Storm
When a particularly bad storm hits your area, it's natural to want to address safety concerns. Once you're certain that your property is safe, it's time to turn to your garden. One area that you shouldn't overlook is the trees that are there. Although they may not look unsafe at first glance, further inspections may reveal otherwise. Here's how to make sure yours are safe.
Examine for Loose Branches
First, always examine trees from a distance. Unless you have the right safety gear, getting close to one that may be suffering due to storm damage can place you at risk. Look to see if any large branches visibly appear loose. If they do, you may need to ask an arborist to remove them. Branch lopping can help you keep your tree without it remaining as a risk to anyone who enters your yard. Even if a branch doesn't appear loose at first, there are other tell-tale signs that it is. For example, you may see cracks that are running up to the branch. If you're ever in doubt, ask a professional to perform a full examination.
Look for Signs of Leaning
Sometimes a leaning tree is obvious. If it's leaning at an angle that it didn't previously lean at, stay well away from it and call a tree surgeon. Similarly, if you see signs of heaving ground at the tree's base, it may be starting to lean beneath the surface. Another hidden sign that a tree is unstable is cracking that runs up to the base. In some cases, the person who examines your tree may be able to secure it in place until it has a chance to form strong roots again. However, in a lot of instances, tree removal is necessary. When a tree becomes particularly loose at the base, it's dangerous and may already be starting to die.
Tackle Torn Bark
It isn't unusual for the bark to tear following a storm. While torn bark may seem innocuous at first, it can pose issues later on. Torn bark is a haven for harmful insects that may later bring diseases or damage to your trees. As such, while it doesn't pose an immediate issue, it can weaken them further down the line. Try removing the torn bark that you can reach easily. If you're uncomfortable using a ladder to remove the torn bark that's farther up the tree, you may have to ask a professional to do the job for you.
For more information on tree removal, contact a company like True Blue Tree and Stump Removal.