Looking out your window and discovering a fallen tree in your yard can be disheartening, especially when it’s an older or meaningful tree. Not only is there a mess of limbs and leaves, but there’s also a hole in the ground where the roots once held the tree in place. Fortunately, our Kingsport ISA-certified arborists at Promier Tree share on the blog today how to prevent trees from falling on your property so that you can maintain your home’s aesthetics and protect your tree’s value.
Root Rot
Root rot is a condition that directly affects the tree’s root system, the central method for obtaining water and nutrients. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to diagnose root rot as the signs and symptoms can be overlooked. In most root rot cases, water-saturated soil can drown the roots. Even if the roots recover, a fungal infestation can easily overtake and kill the roots in their weakened state. Therefore, our Johnson City ISA-certified arborists recommend that property owners plant trees in areas where the soil drains well and avoid overwatering. Once root rot starts, it’s almost impossible to save the tree unless caught early enough for treatment with a fungal agent.
Shallow Roots
Shallow roots mean that a tree is poorly anchored and at a higher risk of falling during strong storms with heavy rain and winds. Root depths vary between tree species, but shallow-rooted trees are more susceptible to drought stress because the roots fail to access underground water. Most trees with shallow roots have brown or dry leaf margins or change their leaf color earlier than surrounding trees. Our Bristol ISA-certified arborists encourage property owners to contact our office when they notice disturbed soil around the tree base, especially after high winds or a strong storm, as it could indicate that the tree is in immediate danger of falling. Preventing shallow roots begins with planting new trees into fertile, non-compacted soil away from objects or buildings that can restrict growth. Furthermore, deep irrigation every few weeks encourages deeper root growth, essentially securing the tree trunk to the ground.
Tree Selection
There are multiple varieties of trees available to plant on your property, but some aren’t suitable for specific yard areas as they may pose an increased risk of falling during a storm. For example, a tree planted in the wrong location can easily suffer damage when passing storms break off large branches or cause a soil disturbance at the tree base. Fortunately, our Tri-Cities ISA-certified arborists can help you research tree varieties that are optimum for your property and can weather the storms easily. On the other hand, a natural or manmade windscreen can reduce the wind’s impact and help protect your trees.
ISA-Certified Arborists in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee
Knowing the current health status of your property’s trees can help reduce accidents and damage. Therefore, it’s important to have a tree health evaluation from an ISA-certified arborist to ensure your trees are healthy and can stand strong no matter the weather conditions. Our tree care pros in Kingsport at Promier Tree encourage property owners to get their trees inspected before experiencing a fallen tree. That way, the proper treatments, and protective measures can protect your valuable assets. To schedule a tree health evaluation, please call us today at (423) 765-2626 or contact us online.