How to Prepare Your Trees for a Storm

Green Light Tree Service is the most trusted tree service company on Long Island. Their arborists are passionate about trees, and that passion really shows in the services they provide. Whether you’re looking to have new trees planted, you need your existing trees maintained, or you are thinking about having some trees removed from your property, you can count on the experts at Green Light Tree Service to deliver fast, affordable, and efficient services.

Late summer and autumn are the height of tropical storm and hurricane season on Long Island. These storms can cause extensive damage to property (surely you recall the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy in 2012). With storm season rolling in, protecting your home should be a top priority. Prepping your trees is one of the best ways you can safeguard your property from an impending storm. High winds can pull branches and limbs off of trees and drenching rains can make them topple. Trees can knock down power lines, smash through windows, crash through roofs, land on top of vehicles, and cause serious injuries. Even if you’re spared from these scenarios, you could end up losing the beautiful trees that add so much value to your property.

By taking the time to prep your trees, you can reduce the potential damage they can cause. Here are some tips that can help you get your trees ready for any hurricanes and tropical storms that may tear through our area.

Perform Preventative Pruning

Of all the proactive steps you can take to prepare your trees for a storm, pruning is perhaps the most important.

Pruning involves the removal of dead and overgrown tree branches and limbs, two things that can become serious hazards in a storm. All it takes is one strong gust of wind to pull a branch or limb off a tree and cause extensive damage. By having your trees pruned before a storm, you can drastically reduce the chances of injuries and costly repairs.

Improve Soil Quality

Like all plants, trees need healthy soil in order to thrive. The healthier the soil is, the stronger the tree will be, and healthy trees are more likely to withstand a storm.

Aerating and fertilizing the soil around your trees now can improve their health by ensuring they receive the vital nutrients, oxygen, and moisture they need to thrive and ride out a storm.

Inspect Your Trees

Take the time to perform a visual inspection of the trees on your property. Check for signs of decay, such as deadwood, large chunks of missing bark, and cavities in the trunk. Examine your trees to see if they are leaning. If you notice any questionable signs that you suspect could indicate your trees are in poor health, you may want to consider having them removed.

Decayed and dead trees are more susceptible to high winds and heavy rain. If a storm comes through, those trees could easily topple over, causing physical harm and property damage.

Secure Them

Young saplings are more vulnerable to storm damage than mature trees. If you have young trees on your property, consider having them secured before a storm hits. Bracing them with sturdy cables can help to secure them, preventing the risk of cracks and splits, as well as complete uprooting.

By taking preventative measures before a storm hits, you can minimize the damage that the trees on your property may cause in a hurricane or any other type of storm. If you need assistance with getting your trees storm-ready, contact Green Light Tree Service. As a company, their professional arborists will perform a thorough inspection of all the trees on your property and provide the necessary services to ensure they are ready to weather any type of storm that may come our way.

Don’t let your trees become a liability; take preventative measures now to make sure they are prepared for high winds and strong rain.