In places like Farmington, Connecticut, you may be afraid to look outside after a heavy storm. What if all your prize trees are lying on the ground? Hold that sigh of relief if they’re all still standing, though, as winds and rain don’t always instantly knock trees down.
Many signs of storm-damaged trees are subtler. If you’d like to skip the risky guessing games surrounding tree health before or after a big storm, here’s more from GM 2 Tree Services, LLC, a top-rated tree service in Farmington, CT.
Structural Instability
Structurally unstable trees are the first thing to look for during damage assessment after a storm. These trees pose the most risk and require emergency services to prevent catastrophes.
Leaning Trees
Leaning trees could fall down at any moment. You often can’t tell how unstable they are underground, so tomorrow’s storm could finish them off. If a previously straight-up tree leans after a storm or a leaning tree is even lower, it’s time to call a tree service.
Uprooted Trees
Uprooted trees are obviously damaged, but not all situations are clear-cut. For example, winds can partially uproot storm-damaged trees but still leave them covered by enough soil to hide the damage. Leaning trees are a concern because of that potential instability down below.
Storms may also uproot trees that are perfectly upright but have had their soil washed away during torrential downpours or flooding. If water erodes the soil and exposes roots, the tree may look intact, but it has lost its anchor. This tree may be dangerously unstable, especially if there is another storm or high winds.
Cracked or Split Branches
Heavy winds and lightning can damage branches and create fall hazards. If you do notice branch issues, look for cracks in the trunk.
Never stand or park a vehicle underneath these storm-damaged trees – they pose a safety risk. If they’re over your house or business premises, don’t wait to call an arborist.
Broken or Damaged Branches and Bark
Trees may have taken damage to their bark and branches. Bark can peel off and leave smooth wood behind, making the tree susceptible to disease and pests. Broken branches cause the same concerns but also risk instability.
If your urban trees lose branches or bark, you’ll want to get someone in for the debris cleanup to keep the roads and sidewalks safe for vehicles and pedestrians. Don’t wait long – fallen wood is like a new housing complex advertisement for nasty pests.
Root Injuries
The easiest root issues to spot are exposed roots that were cut, scraped, or otherwise damaged, but other tree root injuries are underground. Watch out for the following:
- Uprooted trees cause severe root damage.
- A tree sitting in standing water following a storm will be waterlogged and face root rot.
If you suspect a tree’s roots have suffered damage, ask an arborist for a thorough health evaluation. You might still save the tree if you act quickly!
Leaf Damage
Watch your tree closely for a few weeks following a storm, which may damage trees by:
- Thinning out the canopy by knocking down branches
- Wilting leaves from damage or excess water
- Killing leaves and branches as nutrients leach or other damage happens
Trees can’t talk, but they can tell you a lot with their leaf coverage and color.
Let GM 2 Tree Services, LLC Help Your Storm-Damaged Trees in Farmington, CT
GM 2 Tree Services, LLC offers hazard removal of storm-damaged trees and plenty of viable recovery options or removal methods based on your tree’s condition. Whether you’re wondering, “Will rocks around a tree kill it?” or want a free estimate on possibly saving your tree, call us today at (860) 940-5783!