THE IMPACT OF STORMS ON YOUR TREES

1. THE IMPACT OF STORMS ON YOUR TREES Storms can cause major damage in Oklahoma, as strong winds, rain, lightning, snow, and ice descend across the state. And when storms roll in, one of the most major concerns should be your trees. Why? Because trees can suffer storm damage themselves and can cause damage around them. Much of the damage during severe weather occurs when trees or tree branches break and fall after being weakened or damaged by storm activity. The impact of storms on your trees can be significantly damaging, and moreover, falling trees and branches can damage property or cause injury or death. So, what can you do to prevent tree damage in the first place? Preventive tree maintenance is key when it comes to preparing for stormy weather. Proper placement, planting, and pruning of trees prior to a storm can help reduce the risk of storm damage. While there is no assurance that your trees will not suffer storm damage, there are definitely some things you can do to help avoid it. Your first step to minimize the damage is to work with a tree care professional to design and implement a management plan for the trees across your property. This plan should include pre-storm strategies. It is important to put strategies in place to help avoid damage from potentially hazardous weather conditions for many reasons, including the fact that hazards are not always clear and obvious to homeowners without tree care expertise. A professionally certified arborist can inspect the trees on your property and make a thorough assessment of any possible issues; they will be able to identify which trees have the greatest risk of sustaining storm damage that could result in broken limbs or that could cause them to fall. Another key thing to keep in mind is tree maintenance. Routine maintenance of your trees, especially ahead of stormy weather, will allow your contracted tree care company to address any existing issues and preemptively prepare your trees to withstand the ravages of Oklahoma storms. Some actions the professionals might

2. take include thinning out the tree canopy, pruning your trees and removing any dead or damaged limbs, and possibly installing special supports for smaller or weaker trees. Every year, Oklahoma storms cause a great deal of tree damage and put people in danger. A preventative inspection of your trees by a certified arborist will help you prepare your trees for severe weather. Part two of this blog series will be a discussion of how to manage your trees in the aftermath of a storm. A tree company like Arbor Image Tree Care that has certified arborists on staff will be able to properly assess your tree based on a wealth of knowledge and experience. Arbor Image Tree Care is a full-service tree care company with a professional team dedicated to making sure that your trees flourish and positively impact your landscape, both in terms of aesthetics and property value. They offer tree health and nutrition programs customized for your trees, as well as tree maintenance. Contact Arbor Image Tree Care online or by calling 405-815-7959 today.