Spring Storms Take Their Toll on Wisconsin Trees

As we move into Wisconsin’s thunderstorm season, branches and trees are at high risk for storm damage.  Whipping winds and pounding rain can send weak limbs and trees crashing to the ground in a matter of seconds. 

While storm cleanup is the first thing on everyone’s mind after the skies have cleared, it is important to remind property owners of the dangers of removing damaged or fallen trees.  If done incorrectly, a hazardous tree situation can result in injury or even death. 

Luckily, the ISA-certified, professional arborists at First Choice Tree Care can provide helpful tips for preventing storm damage.  They can also help in identifying hazardous situations and safely removing downed branches or fallen trees.

First Choice Tree Care arborists recommend taking a proactive approach to tree health and maintenance to prepare trees for the changing season and avoid potentially harmful situations.

Storm Damage Prevention Tips:

• Inspect trees and branches, including the roots, for damage or decay. Call a professional to help remove trees with signs of severe damage or disease
  
  
• Keep all trees properly trimmed. Prune dead or diseased branches. Space branches (thin the tree) to promote proper branch growth, to increase the flow of air through the tree, and to reduce wind resistance and the forces that often lead to severe damage
  
  
• Protect the tree’s root system with a wide ring of mulch around the base of the tree
  
  
• Watch for cavities in the tree as these are signs of weak spots in the tree
  
  
• Call an ISA certified arborists to install cables or bolts to strengthen weakened trees

Tips to Identify Hazardous Situations:

• Approach damaged trees with extreme caution
  
  
• Stay clear of downed power lines and wires.  If the tree has hit a power line, call the electric company right away and report the incident.  A professional arborist will be helpful once the electrical hazard is cleared. Do not attempt to clean up the damage on your own
  
  
• If the situation appears to be safe, determine if the tree is healthy overall or if it has suffered major structural damage
  
  
• Identify how much of the tree is still intact.  A tree with less than half of its branches remaining is likely a candidate for removal
  
  
• If a large tree or branch is hanging or under tension, seek professional help
  
  
• If the damage is not extensive, prune small broken branches, repair the torn bark and let the tree begin to recover
  
  
• If the tree has already been weakened by disease, has a severely split trunk or has lost more than 50 percent of its crown it should be removed.  Call a professional to help as damaged and weakened trees can be difficult and dangerous to remove