Why is it more important this year than the previous year’s when it comes to preparing your property for Hurricane season? Simply, the great freeze event of 2021 has left many trees and palms dead or in a very weakened declining state. These trees will be more prone to being toppled by high winds or floods should we get a tropical event this season. Don’t procrastinate! Schedule an evaluation from one of our (5) ISA Certified Arborist today.
Hurricane Preparedness is important to consider in the both the commercial building setting and at home. No matter how much we prepare our homes or businesses for hurricane season, there will always be areas of our property that remain vulnerable to damages from hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall. Trees are a vulnerability that can be severely damaged or completely uprooted because of a hurricane in our area. Tree damage can have a significant financial impact to property owners, through the loss of valuable shade, decreased property value, increased utility bills, and even damages to nearby properties or structures. Below are great tips for both homeowners and commercial property owners to prepare their trees for the hurricane season so they have the best chance of survival and are less likely to cause damage.
CONDUCT STRATEGIC TREE PRUNING
One of the most important steps in your hurricane preparation plan is to perform strategic tree pruning. Strategic tree pruning is the trimming and/or complete removal of specific tree branches and limbs in order to improve the tree’s health, stability, and aesthetic qualities. Tree pruning can include trimming overgrown branches, removing dead or damaged limbs and branches, pruning away branches too close to buildings or utility lines, and thinning out the canopy to increase sunlight to the soil below. These steps can strengthen the health of the tree, allowing it to better withstand hurricane-strength weather, and also removes dangerous limbs that could inflict serious physical harm or property damage. This is especially important this year after the hard freeze our trees sustained in the Winter.
BETTER SOIL HEALTH, HEALTHIER TREE
When a tree is in good health and is surrounded by healthy soil, its chances for sustaining a hurricane or other serious weather are significantly improved. Trees should be inspected before hurricane season to ensure there are no threats to the tree’s health. Trees can be severely harmed by tree diseases like oak wilt or hypoxylon canker, or invasive insects like aphids or borers. Additionally, a tree’s root system can be compromised because of poor soil health, such as compacted soil that prevents water or soil nutrients from reaching the roots. Soil aeration can help break apart compacted soil and ensure that trees are able to get the water, oxygen, and nutrients they need to thrive all year long. Deep root fertilization is also a great tool to feed your trees and keep them at their healthiest.
WHEN IN DOUBT, CONSIDER CABLING AND BRACING
Finally, it’s important to protect younger or more vulnerable trees through Cabling and Bracing services to ensure that hurricane season doesn’t also bring there a total tree loss to the property. Cabling and Bracing services secure the tree and can help prevent major splits or cracks, or keep the tree from being completely uprooted. This proactive step is especially important to protect historic or exotic trees on a commercial property or at home.
Embark is pleased to offer a full range of professional, safe, and efficient tree care services for commercial properties and homes across the greater Houston area. Our team of Certified Arborists understands all facets of tree care and tree health, and strive to ensure trees look their best and are in peak health so they can better withstand hurricanes and any other kind of major weather event. Contact Embark today about our Tree Care Services for your property, or fill out our online form to request a free consultation!
