storm damage

Storm damage in trees generally occurs during severe weather events when loading from precipitation and wind exceed the strength of the adjoining wood fibers, branch unions or root plate. If you have a failed limb or tree we are able to safely remove it, whether it is suspended in the tree, on the ground or resting on a building or structure. It may also be appropriate to conduct a risk assessment to to establish potential hazards and failure points.

Storm damage after care is an important aspect of limb removal. A the damaged area must be cut back to the correct place, usually a branch collar or appropriate lateral limb. This way the tree is able to best heal and seal off the wound minimizing decay. The wounded area should be assessed for structural integrity, a tear out or wound can compromise the structure of other parts of the tree.

A pruning strategy should be developed to manage epicormic (water sprout) growth in the coming years as the tree rapidly replaces the lost leaf mass. These new branches are numerous, fast growing and weakly attached. Naturally the weaker ones break off to allow the strongest to establish and grow. In the urban environment it is best to remove weak epicormic growth before failure occurs and help the tree establish the strongest possible branch architecture after a limb failure.