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This fact sheet, published by the Minnesota Extension Service, Forest Resources Department, gives advice on how to react to storm damage to trees on your property, prevent future storm damage, and predict potential tree failures. Commonly addressed questions will be answered in this section and recommendations given.
Predicting: What are some common pre-existing tree conditions that may result in storm damage?
Improper pruning techniques, such as flush cutting and topping that lead to decay, or lack of pruning, such as failing to remove weakly attached branches, can lead to weakened limbs that may fail in a storm situation. Poor site conditions (shallow soils, confined rooting areas), inappropriate species use for Minnesota (see table below), and presence of decay and/or poor root systems can also lead to potential problems. If branches, limbs, or sections of the tree are dying, there may be problems with the trunk or below ground in the root system that may need to be addressed. The dying branches may only be a symptom of a greater problem. The most common pre-existing conditions are 1) decay, 2) included bark, 3) codominant leaders, 4) restricted root space, 5) stem girdling roots.
Preventing: How can I correct weaknesses that I've already found on my existing trees?
Through proper pruning techniques, branches with included bark and co-dominant leaders can be remedied. Proper watering and/or light fertilizing may help the root system develop properly. Appropriate species selection for future tree may help alleviate any potential problems. If the presence of decay is found within the tree or root systems, removal of the decaying area or possibly the entire tree may be the wise solution. Planting depth is also extremely important. When planting a tree, be positive that the roots of the tree are level with the surrounding soil surface. This may require scraping the top of the soil or container ball first to see where the roots actually are.
Recovering: What trees are savable that have already sustained damage?
Trees that have sustained light damage are often savable. A qualified professional should be consulted to determine the extent of the damage. As a general rule, light damage such a broken small limbs, torn bark, mild up rooting, and small splits or cracks may be corrected. If life or property is in danger, you should seek help immediately.
How can I repair the damage?
First and foremost, a professional arborist should be consulted before attempting any work on your own. Cabling and bracing are frequently used treatments for storm damage. When a split has occurred in a tree, cabling and bracing may help prevent further splitting and help strengthen the tree a certain amount. Broken limbs and branches can be pruned safely to minimize the safety risks. Torn bark may be trimmed ton reduce sites for disease and insect introduction and for aesthetic purposes. For mild uprooting, a small tree (< 25-ft.) may be straightened and staked immediately after that damage has occurred.
When should I consult a professional or do repairs myself?
Except for the cases of pruning small branches, and slightly leaning, small trees in need of staking, a consulting arborist should be contacted. A job that appears to be small and manageable may be a greater effort than planned for. There may be unseen dangers associated with the storm damage of which an arborist may be aware. There are several publications that can provide advice on the proper ways to prune, stake, straighten a tree, and other forms of correction.
What references are there that I can find on my own?
Here are some of the many publications that may provide more information on pruning, staking, and other storm damage remedies:
* Tree Maintenance, by P.P. Pirone, et al.
* Arboriculture, by Richard W. Harris.
* USDA How To Prune a Tree publication on the web
There are also additional publications available from the Extension Service directly related to several of these topics.
Selection: What trees can I plant that will be less prone to storm damage? Which ones shouldn't I be planting?
Some trees exhibit qualities that make them less prone to storm damage. These trees usually have a better shape, stronger wood, and have the tendency to grow stronger branch unions and more complete root systems. Some trees that are considered resistant to storm damage are:
Arbovitae
Black Walnut
Blue beech
Catalpa
Eastern hemlock
Ginkgo
Ironwood
Kentucky coffeetree
Norway maple
Bur oak
Bicolor oak
White oak
Trees considered intermediate in resistance are:
Paper, River birch
Eastern white pine
Northern red pine
Red maple
Sugar maple
American elm
White ash
Trees considered susceptible to storm damage are:
Littleleaf linden
American basswood
Black cherry
Black Locust
Bradford pear
Common hackberry
Green Ash
Honeylocust
Pin oak
Siberian elm
Silver maple
Colorado blue spruce
Assistance: Where do I go for help before and after storm damage has occurred, or if I just have questions?
There are several tree care companies in the metropolitan area and in the surrounding areas. Consulting arborists may be able to answer some questions over the phone, but will typically visit the site for a fee. If work is to be done qualified, licensed, and certified arborists should be hired. Arborists may be easily found by looking under "Tree Service" in the yellow pages for your area.
For questions and concerns, there are many other places to contact:
* City Forester, Tree Inspector or Parks and Recreation director in your town
* Your County Extension Office
* A full-service, Tree Care Company or Private Consultant with certified arborists - For a directory of Tree Care Companies Serving MN, visit here
* University of Minnesota Extension Service, Forest Resources Department (612-624-3020)
* University of Minnesota Yard and Garden Clinic (local: 612-624-4771)
* INFO-U (local: 612-624-2200; outside metro area: 1-800-525-8636)
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