Storms – What to look out for in relation to tree damage
Recent storms and high winds over the last two months have resulted in uprooted trees and breakages. While a lot of the wind damage is quite obvious, some of the damage caused may not be as obvious and may increase the risk of tree failure in the future. This is particularly significant when trees are located near buildings, roads or areas of high footfall/public usage. After storms, tree owners should inspect their trees for any signs of damage. Below are some of the signs which tree owners should look out for.
– Visually assess the crown of the tree for any broken or cracked limbs/branches in the crown
– Assess the trunk of the tree for any buckling or longitudinal cracks.
– For trees near power lines which broken or damaged limbs are touching the power lines notify the ESB immediately.
– Look around the roots of the tree for any movement or bulges in the soil or evidence of root breakage. If the root plate has shifted the tree may be unstable.
– Trees which have fungal diseases are of higher risk of failure, particularly during storms. Fungal diseases may be indicated by the presence of mushroom like fruiting bodies around the base of the tree and on the trunk/major limbs.
– Assess the tree in terms of the risk it poses to buildings, permanent structures, roads, power lines, members of the public and vehicles. Carrying out preventative measures such as crown reductions or crown lifts can drastically reduce risk of tree failure.
Although you may need to remove severely damaged trees, those with minor damage usually recover provided proper pruning techniques are employed. When carried out correctly the risk of decay agents entering the wound are minimised.
Don’t hesitate to contact APB Trees care for professional advice on any tree related concerns. Below are some examples of works we have carried out as a result of recent stormy weather.
An example of preventative action taken in the form of a crown reduction carried out on a Birch tree located beside a road, power lines and a house. Wind sail of the tree is reduced as a result decreasing the risk of failure and damage to its surroundings in the event of future storms.
Height reduction carried out on roadside Poplar trees. Poplar trees are particularly susceptible to breakage due to their brittle timber caused by fast growth rates.
Preparing to section fell boundary Willow and Poplar trees overhanging a neighbouring shed
Dismantling of a Grand fir which was leaning towards a road and power lines as well as being close to a house. Branches and sections were lowered safely to the ground using rigging ropes to avoid damage to an underlying chicken coup and to ensure no parts of the tree fell onto the road during dismantling. The owner reckoned that with recent storms the root system of the tree had shifted causing an increase in the lean of the tree. After a safety inspection of the tree it was deemed safe to climb. Pictured below is the tree safely down. All branches were mulched and taken away with the timber left as firewood for the owner.
Preparing to dismantle a Eucalyptus tree overhanging a house.
An uprooted Sitka spruce tree from last year which is been prepared to be felled. Cause of failure was a prolonged spell of wet weather followed by high winds combined with the shallow rooting characteristics of Sitka spruce.
If you have been affected by the recent storms and want an expert to look at any trees you may have concerns about, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and a member of the APB team will assess the damage.