Recovering after the Storm:  Tree First Aid

For those residing on tree-lined properties, another hurricane season brings the threat of damage to trees and objects in their surroundings. 

To pre-empt damage, homeowners should avoid planting trees such as the Chinese elm, box elder, silver maple and other poplars near buildings and power lines.  These trees have brittle wood which makes them more susceptible to storm damage.

Often times, storm damage is minor--meaning a few broken branches--and homeowners can perform the clean-up and light pruning themselves.  More severe damage, such as the splitting of trunk, branch fork or removal of large areas of bark, require special attention to maintain the health of the tree and reduce the risk of insect or disease.

In the aftermath of a major storm, the initial impulse of property owners is generally along the lines of "let's get this mess cleaned up." But hasty de

cisions can often result in the removal of trees that could have been saved.

Doing the right things after trees have been damaged can make the difference between giving your trees a good chance of survival and losing them unnecessarily. Largess Forestry and The National Arbor Day Foundation urge home and property owners to follow a few simple rules in administering tree first aid after a storm:

1. Don't try to do it all yourself. If large limbs are broken or hanging, or if high climbing or overhead chainsaw work is needed, call a professional arborist. They have the necessary equipment and knowledge.

2. Take safety precautions. Look up and look down. Be on the alert for downed power lines and dangerous hanging branches that look like they're ready to fall. Stay away from any downed utility lines-low-voltage telephone or cable lines and even fence wires can