As summer storms loom on the horizon, we’re reminded of the damage these storms can do. But did you know that damaged trees can help measure a tornado’s wind speed?
After a tornado, scientists measure how trees have fallen. Considering the species, age, and health of the trees, the scientists can compile this data and then get an estimated wind speed.
Severe weather is a threat to trees. But when those trees fall, in whole or in part, they can cause more damage than the storm itself.
Keep reading if you’re faced with storm cleanup after a severe weather event. We’ll talk about ways to clear your property after a storm and how regular tree maintenance can minimize damage before it happens.
Preventative Tree Care
Regularly scheduled tree inspections by a professional arborist should be on every homeowner’s list. An arborist can identify disease and insect infestation and treat these issues before they become a bigger problem.
Your arborist can also study your trees and determine which direction branches are growing. If branches are headed toward power lines, your roof, or your driveway, they need trimming. Leaving these branches to grow on their own can lead to costly damage, even in the absence of a storm.
You’ll also need to consider Texas tree laws. You can be held liable if any part of your tree falls and injures a person or damages another’s property. You should also be mindful of trees along your property line.
The experts at Arbor Tech can give you more information about tree laws and let you know if any of your trees might pose a legal problem.
Cutting back wayward branches isn’t just to give your trees a beautiful shape. You can also prevent potential injury and costly damage by keeping your trees trimmed and healthy.
Storm Cleanup
Texas storms can be vicious, and trees often bear the brunt of the damage. The integrity of power lines during and after a storm is critical.
If one of your trees falls on a power line, call your electric company or 911 right away. Do not attempt to move the tree or touch the power line.
After the severe weather has passed and power lines are secure, it’s time to call for storm cleanup. Tree clean up service near me can handle the job.
If you’re lucky, you may only need the removal of broken tree branches and clean-up service. But sometimes storms can damage a tree beyond repair. In cases like these, your tree expert must entirely remove the trees. This is when a skilled arborist is necessary for cleanup service.
If your tree can’t be saved, it will be tied off and cut, so it falls in a safe location. Then the felled tree will be cut into more manageable sections. Lastly, the tree stump needs to be handled.
Tree Removal
Professional arborists should assess your trees if you’re planning tree removal and lot clearing for new construction. Your arborist and your builder can work together to keep existing trees while ensuring they won’t interfere with construction or cause damage in the future.
Trees add value to your home and property, so it’s in your best interest to save as many trees as possible when you’re building. However, sometimes trees just don’t fit within the scope of your construction plans.
You’ll also need to consider the impact trees will have on the effectiveness of solar panels. If your trees are blocking the sunlight, they’ll need removal. Otherwise, you may not achieve peak performance from your solar setup.
Sometimes trees need to be removed due to advanced disease or age. Diseased trees can be especially problematic because the infection can quickly spread to other trees. Your tree care expert can assess the situation and let you know if removal is the solution.
In some cases, tree removal requires a permit. There may be exceptions based on the type of tree and the size of the lot, but it’s best to search for tree removal near me. Arbor Tech can help you navigate the permit process to ensure your tree removal goes smoothly.
Dealing With Tree Stumps
There are two ways to handle a tree stump. The stump can be cut to ground level, or stump grinding might be the solution. Many tree experts prefer stump grinding because it removes almost all of the tree remnants.
Be sure that you make your arborist aware of any sprinkler or gas lines running through your yard. The last thing you want after a storm is more damage.
And if there’s a silver lining to this storm cleanup cloud, it’s that you can turn your downed tree into firewood and the wood chips from the stump into mulch. Your tree may no longer be standing, but you can still make use of it.
After the Storm
Once the storm cleanup process is finished, you may wonder what to do next. Luckily, the experts at Arbor Tech can help.
They can help you choose new trees and advise on tree species that are hardy and more resistant to disease and insects. Plus, they will ensure that your new trees are not too close to power lines, your roof, and your solar panels.
Your yard might not look the same as it did before the storm, but it might look even better with help from Arbor Tech.
Contact the Experts for Storm Cleanup
Texas weather always has the potential to damage trees. Storm cleanup is just a phone call away if this happens to you.
Contact the experts at Arbor Tech for tree care you can count on all year long.
