STORM DAMAGES TREES

STORM DAMAGES TREES The recent storm caught many trees with full leaf capacity and as a result ton’s of wind pressure has damaged branches and pushed whole trees over. When tree branches split and break or whole trees are pushed over home owner and landscape managers must decide what to do. Branches should be pruned from the tree if excessive damage has occurred. This is best done by cutting the tree branch as close to the where it connects to the next larger branch or trunk. Do not cut the callus bump around the base of the limb because it makes the wound size larger. Always use the correct tool. You should never try to force pruning shears through a branch. If shears won’t cut a branch easily, use a pruning saw. When using a saw make an undercut slightly further from the branch or trunk then your final cut. Then cut just ahead of the undercut. This is done in order that when the branch falls it does not tare the bark all the way to the ground. Once the branch has been removed make your final cut in the appropriate place. Do not paint the pruning wound with paint or tar. Most pruning paint sealers are black and in our part of the world this builds up heat and fosters disease and fungus, causing more harm than good. The best treatment is a 10% bleach solution, 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Wash the tool blades in this solution prior to make the cut to sanitize them, you would not want a surgeon operating on you without do so right? You can also remove any dead branches as well. The result may make a unbalanced tree, do not try and balance the tree now but wait until dormancy to finish the job, this is just emergency stabilization right now. If branches or the trunk has split what can you do. Do not tape or wrap it back together for a long term treatment. The best thing to do is to pull it together the best you can drill a hole no lager the 25% the diameter of the branch or limb. On large branches and limbs I would not use less than a ½ bit. Obtain a large bolt or all thread shaft and place through the hole with large washers on both sides add the nut. Tighten until the bolt is secure, think of these as stitches and place as many as are need to pull the pieces together. Treat the wound with insecticide to prevent insect occupation and damage. Prune off about 25 to 30% of the weight to reduce stress. The tree should grow around the bolts and assimilates them into the tissue. Be sure and remove the extra length of bolt so as to prevent injury to people and pets. Make a drawing and from the ground or main trunk of where this was applied and keep in your files, if you sell the house give this to the next owner. It will be handy to have if the tree has to be removed; bolts are hard on chainsaws and people operating them. If a tree has blown over you have to consider a few things before proceeding. The first thing to consider is the current location really the best place? If it falls again will it damage property or endanger people? If so remove the tree. Next is the tree otherwise healthy, if it is unhealthy it will have a harder time recovering and will be more susceptible to insect and disease from this stress. What species of tree is it? Some species recover have a higher success rate than other. Once you have determined it is worth the time and expense to try and save this tree you may precede. First clean out the hole the roots came from and enlarge that hole by about a third. Place the chains or rope you are going to use to pull the tree back upright at least one third the height of the tree, the higher the better leverage you will have but the trunk has to be able to hold the weight as well. Do not place yourself or other where the tree may fall on you!! Have at least two anchor points to pull the tree up with a 30 to 40 degree angle. Using whatever power source you have chosen hoist the tree in place and back fill all the way around the tree and pack the fill. Then stake the tree to hold it in place for about one year. Be sure and pad whatever you use to tie on to the tree and do not leave it for more than one year. You may chose to stake the tree when sever wind is expected, but if you leave it staked all the time the root will not develop to hold the tree up. This brings to the question why did it fall in the first place? Unusually hard winds will do that, but most trees should have a good enough anchor in the roots to sustain most winds. If a tree is staked for a long period of time when planted the roots will be stunted in their growth. Stunted the roots are always stunted and the tree can suffer from blow over 20 years later. If a tree is watered shallowly the roots stay at the surface and do not move deep in to the soil to anchor the tree. The root mass should be 30 % larger than the above ground mass. Often trees are planted on to shallow of soil which results in poor root development these trees should not be attempted and should be removed. Large trees should not be attempted. A professional landscaper may be able to help you decide what to do and could possible do the work for you and do it safer. BE CAREFUL a tree even a small tree weighs tons and it is not worth getting hurt. Eddy County Extension Service, New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. New Mexico State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Eddy County Government Cooperating. Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail, including all attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. 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