Trees and Our Mild Winter (so far)

Let’s take a moment to celebrate the mild winter weather we’ve had so far.  After the damaging storms of the summer and fall 2020, it’s nice to hear the quiet that comes from a lack of high winds and gusts.

As you might guess, those of us in the tree service business have been busy with cleanup after these storm events.  It’s heartbreaking to see beautiful, old trees broken or literally uprooted by Mother Nature and the recent cold weather only makes some trees, like spruce, more vulnerable because the deciduous trees nearby have lost their leaves.  These evergreens are facing the brunt of winter winds at a time when they can be brittle due to extreme cold.

When the worst happens, weight is an important factor when removing material.  The weight of a tree depends on the type and height of a tree, among other factors.  In the warmer months, a tree weighs more because of leaves.  If you want to satisfy your inner geek, this is a good resource for calculating the weight of your trees.  The quick answer is that trees are usually measured in tons and not pounds, unless you’re talking about a very young specimen.

Arborists want to save a tree if at all possible while making sure that people and property are safe.  Sometimes a tree will split so that its own limbs or the limbs of neighboring trees hold dead wood aloft.  To safely remove several tons of material from a precarious position in the air takes experience, equipment, patience, and more experience.  Never walk under a hanging limb because that could go at any time.  Dial your favorite arborist as soon as possible.

Material that has made it to the ground—usually with a sickening thud—is more stable, of course, but anyone who’s been through the experience knows that trees spread on the ground are met with the phrase, “It looks so much bigger now.”  It takes time and effort to cut trees and prep them as firewood and chip less desirable wood.  Here, the right equipment can save backs and therefore lives.

When trees hit homes and cars, the result is miserable but a little less so when you have your ducks in a row before the storm hits.  Check that you’ve bought the right homeowner’s insurance and found a trusted arborist, someone who is skilled in tree service and carries the proper tree work insurance.  Knowing who to call, like us at Tree-Scape and Fitch, will make dealing with tree damage easier.

And here’s hoping Mother Nature will continue to be kind to us in terms of good weather.

Dealing with Hurricanes

Some people assume that the men and women who cut trees for a living are happy when a hurricane takes down trees, mostly because a major storm will mean a lot of work and therefore pay.  The truth is, we become arborists because we love trees.  We hate to see trees and shrubs damaged or killed.

We also feel for homeowners who see heavy limbs fall on their roofs or cars.  That’s why we keep an eye on the weather and prep when the weather models indicate we’ll get high winds.  Preparation is key to any response in a bad situation and anyone who’s lived in Connecticut for a few years knows we’ll get a memorable hurricane before too long.

Responding to Storms

There are two ways to deal with storms.  One is to respond quickly and safely to Mother Nature’s temper tantrum.  Irene and Sandy are still fresh in our minds.

If you need help clearing a damaged or dead tree, try to remain patient.  Tree services are in high demand just after a storm and every arborist will do his or her best to take care of customers while maintaining a safe work environment.  Pushing forward through fatigue or equipment that needs some TLC will just make a bad situation dangerous.

Preparing for Storms

The other way to deal with storms is to take action while the weather is good. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Find a good arborist when the sun is shining and you have the time to listen to more thane one, to learn what skills each offers to you and your family, and to make a considered decision when you select the arborists you want on your team as you maintain your home.  Then, if a tree falls during a storm or a large limb traps your car in the garage, you’ll know what to do and avoid adding to an already miserable time.

You can also ask a good arborist for a free consultation.  A skilled eye can evaluate how a tree has grown over time and propose ways to make it stronger or less susceptible to storm damage.  For example, a bush that is pruned on a regular basis will be healthier and stronger than one that has been left alone.  Pruning is not just for esthetic purposes nor is it just for bushes.  Thinning a canopy on a tree can allow winds to pass safely through branches, rather than pushing the trunk past its limits.  Bending branches can be scary to see from inside a house but a lot less so than a wood breaking off to become a projectile.

We’re fast approaching the end of hurricane season but that doesn’t mean we’ll never see another hurricane.  Take care of you trees so they can continue to take care of you—shading you from hot sun and offering sweet, fresh oxygen, not to mention the smiles you’ll get from seeing that beauty in your yard.  Call Tree-Scape and Fitch today!