As a homeowner, you have a lot of projects demanding your attention, from the gutters that need cleaning and the deck that needs resealing to the master bath that could benefit from a new coat of paint. With all of these projects on your list, it can be tempting to put others on the back burner.
One task that homeowners consider putting off includes treatment for a tree recently damaged in a storm. They may assume that the tree will “heal” on its own, but unlike people, trees don’t repair wounds. Instead, they seal over injuries, leaving any internal weakness in place. That means storm damage doesn’t go away with time. In fact, it often gets worse.
To help you make an informed decision about your property’s maintenance, our experts at TreeWiseMen explain the potential dangers of ignoring a damaged tree.
The Potential Dangers of Ignoring a Storm-Damaged Tree
A tree that has weathered a severe storm might look like it’s merely lost a few leaves and smaller branches, but the damage could actually be far more serious. In many instances, the initial damage done only cascades as weeks, months, and years unfold. So, make sure you protect your property, family, and neighbors from potential harm by understanding the risks of a damaged tree.
Falling Branches
The most immediate danger of a storm-damaged tree is the risk of falling limbs. Broken or weak branches can weigh hundreds of pounds, and all it will take is a strong gust of wind, heavy rainfall, or even just the pull of gravity to send them crashing down onto your house, vehicles, or fence. More tragically, a falling branch can cause serious injury to anyone unfortunate enough to be underneath it.
Total Tree Failure
If the trunk itself has been compromised (for example, if it has a deep split or is now leaning at a precarious angle), the entire tree could be at risk of toppling over. This can cause catastrophic damage to your home and surrounding property.
Increased Vulnerability to Pests
The wounds and gashes left behind by broken branches and peeling bark create perfect entry points for a host of unwelcome guests. For example, wood-boring insects, such as termites, carpenter ants, and various types of beetles, are drawn to the exposed, weakened wood. Once they establish a colony, they begin to tunnel through the tree, further compromising its structural integrity from the inside out.
The Potential for Disease
Open wounds are also prone to fungal and bacterial diseases. Spores carried by the wind or rain can easily settle into the exposed wood. Diseases like anthracnose, powdery mildew, and root rot can spread throughout the tree, weakening it progressively and making it even more susceptible to storm damage in the future. Even worse, the sick tree could infect other plants and trees on your property, jeopardizing the health of your entire landscape.
Property Damage & Repair Costs
Delaying tree care often leads to bigger expenses down the road. For instance, a compromised tree might initially only need pruning, but if ignored, it could require complete removal after extensive decay sets in. Worse, if the tree falls, the damage to your home, car, or other property can result in thousands of dollars in unexpected costs. Insurance companies may even deny coverage if it’s determined that negligence played a role.
Legal Liability
It’s important to remember that homeowners can be held liable if a damaged tree injures a neighbor or causes damage to their property. This only adds unnecessary legal stress to an already unfortunate situation.
Stay Ahead of Tree-Related Disasters With TreeWiseMen
If a storm recently blew through your town, get your trees inspected right away. A quick scan of your tree might not be enough to spot hairline fractures in high branches or subtle shifts in the tree’s lean.
Our certified arborists have the training, experience, and equipment to conduct a thorough assessment and identify hidden dangers. We can also recommend the most effective course of action, which may include strategic tree pruning to remove damaged limbs, cabling and bracing to provide support to weakened branches or split trunks, or, if the damage is too severe, safe and efficient tree removal to eliminate the hazard completely.
Be proactive, and contact TreeWiseMen today to schedule an inspection and find out how to save your storm-damaged tree.
