Check for Dead and Damaged Trees
Keep your living investments healthy this winter with proper pruning
by Peter R. Landau, ISA Certified Arborist, arbor1dude@aol.com
Winter is a great time to inspect and prune your trees. They have
shed their leaves and their structure is visible. The likelihood of spreading
tree diseases is minimal during the winter and the impact of pruning is also
minimized while the tree is dormant. The tree branch structure is easy to see
and mark for pruning. Broken, cracked, or hanging limbs are also easy to see
and remove.
Tree failure is a major cause of property damage. Winter weather
can cause trees and tree parts with structural defects to fail. Defects
include: co-dominant stems, which are weakly attached and can split; cavities,
which reduce the strength and increase the potential for failure; and cracks,
which reduce the load that can be sustained. During storms pre-existing defects
predispose trees to failure. Homeowners should have a qualified arborist
inspect their trees to identify trees with structural defects and provide
options for mitigating those risks.
Pruning is best done after the leaves have fallen off. This allows
the tree to store the energy and starches that were produced by photosynthesis
in the roots and woody parts of the tree. When pruning, have a clear purpose in
mind. Removing dead or diseased wood, providing clearance, or improving
structure are common goals. Pruning trees can be dangerous. Consider calling a
professional. Improper pruning can cause permanent damage, create structural
defects, and make a tree more susceptible to disease.
Winter usually brings us snow and ice. The deicing salts used on
walkways, driveways, parking lots, and the roads can be detrimental to tree
health. Here are a couple of tips. Use sand or other abrasives mixed with salt
to reduce the amount of salt. Use alternatives such as calcium magnesium
acetate and calcium chloride. Protect your trees from the spray from plow
trucks.
Evergreen foliage can be damaged by salt. As the salt leaches into
the tree’s roots it can cause severe damage, even plant mortality. Plant
salt-resistant trees. Improve soil drainage. Add organic matter to the soil to
help filter salt. In the spring, irrigating to leach out the salts can also
help.
It is important, along with the recommendations above, to keep
your trees healthy. Assessing your trees and determining their needs is the
first step to having structurally stable and healthy trees. Severe winters can
take their toll on trees and landscape plants. Taking steps to improve their
environment and reduce their risk of failure will ensure their longevity and
improve our environment. Visit Treesaregood.org to locate ISA Certified
Arborists.
Posted by Chris Hewitt
on 12:28 PM.
Filed under
Environment,
Feature,
Lifehacker
.
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