5 Maintenance Tips To Develop Storm Hardy Trees

Posted on: 28 February 2022

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High winds and lightning aren't the type of weather you want to be out in, but your landscape trees don't have a choice. Stormy weather is also when tree damages often occur, from broken limbs to lightning strikes and possible blowdowns. Good care before the storm will help your tree survive the weather with minimal to no damage.

1. Dead Wood Removal

One of the most dangerous things for a tree (and those below) during a storm is dead, dying, and badly damaged branches. These are the ones that will snap and blow down during a storm, which can hurt the tree and cause damage to your home or anyone standing below. Pruning removes any wood that is a breakage hazard, including branches damaged from the friction of rubbing together. 

2. Crown Thinning

Too many branches and leaves in a crown can also make it more prone to storm damage. An overly dense crown gets poor air circulation, which means there is likely a lot of weak growth that can break in the wind. Wind also can't pass through an overly dense crown, increasing the chances of damage or blowdown. Thinning allows air circulation and leads to a healthier and hardier tree. 

3. Size Reduction

The trunk of a tree may be at a good distance from the home's foundation while the crown branches may still spread far enough to reach the home. Branches that can scrape against windows, walls, and roofs in high winds can rip off shingles and cause other damages. Size reduction pruning shortens all the branches by a similar amount so that the tree's crown spread is reduced to a point where the branches won't hit your home. 

4. Wind Support

Some trees need a bit of support, especially when rain saturates and softens the soil as high winds blow. Otherwise, a tree may begin to lean or even blow down. If you have trees that don't seem well-rooted, your tree service can use anchoring stakes. When installed correctly, anchoring stakes provide additional trunk support while still allowing enough trunk movement to spur on the growth of better anchoring roots. 

5. Lightening Cabling

If you live in an area where lightning strikes to trees are a common enough hazard, then it may make sense to have the larger trees on your property lighting cabled. Your tree service tech will run a lightning rod cable to the top of the tree and then anchor it on the ground, thus providing protection for the tree in the event of a strike. 

Contact a tree care service such as Morlock Landscape & Design if you would like storm-hardier trees on your property.