T
he same trees that shade
our homes, add value
to our neighborhoods
and freshen our air can wreak
havoc after a strong storm blows
through.
"The world of trees is
deceptive," explains R.J. Laverne,
a board certified master arborist
with The Davey Tree Expert
Company. "Even the strongest,
heftiest trees can fall victim to
severe winter weather, disease or
infestation."
How does one prevent this
from happening? Don't ignore
trees throughout the year by
providing proper maintenance.
Being proactive can ensure
trees stay strong no matter what
kind of weather Mother Nature
delivers. "By the time you notice
a tree is sick or in danger, it's
usually too late, and broken limbs
or rotten trunks will have you
wishing you had checked your
trees earlier," Laverne points out.
Check out these acorns
of wisdom from Davey's
professionally trained arborists on
some common tree problems.
How did the 2013/2014 winter
affect my trees?
In the Mid-Atlantic region of
the country, winter's duration
and length caused some plant
issues, including a weakening
of tree and shrub health that
increased insect and disease
activities and plant stress. These
abnormalities revealed themselves
this summer in many fashions,
particularly dieback of stems
and/or whole plants. If you
Need a diagnosis, STAT!? We've got you covered.
Tree Trouble ID
continue to see any problems
with browning or yellowing leaves
or any discoloration, have your
trees evaluated by a professionally
trained arborist.
A big branch snapped off in a
storm. Do I need to hire someone
to remove it cleanly?
Yes. A clean break allows the plant
to wall-off the wound. And a
professionally trained arborist can
advise a homeowner on whether
other help is needed, such as
installation of steel support cables,
to save the tree.
What does hiring a professionally
trained arborist entail?
A professionally trained arborist
will consult with you on ways to
preserve trees—and to evaluate
whether the effort is worthwhile
given the health and value of
the tree. Some professionally
trained arborists will do an initial
consultation at no charge.
How often should you have a
professionally trained arborist
evaluate your trees?
After a big tree-damaging storm,
whenever you notice that areas of
the crown have died off, or every
two to three years.
A tree with strong, healthy wood is more
likely to survive destructive, stormy weather.
Have our professionally trained arborists
inspect your tree if you suspect weakness.
