Major storms can wreak havoc in your home. While you cannot prevent destructive weather occurrences, you can reduce storm damage to the most crucial component of your yard: trees. According to tree services providers, these tips will help your trees stand tall during hurricane-force winds, torrential rain, flash flooding, and even ice storms:

Choose your trees wisely

Some trees, such as silver maples, have weaker wood and are prone to dropping sticks in the slightest breeze—let alone branches and limbs during a storm.

Other trees, including native white oak and American hornbeam, are more storm-resistant. Before planting a new tree, check its susceptibility to breaking in a storm.

If the tree is likely to break, stay away from it.

If you aren’t sure about the suitable trees to go for, get the input of professionals.

Plant your trees in the right spot.

If a storm is approaching, you should not be concerned about the proximity of a tree to your home or garage. Make sure newly planted trees have enough area to flourish.

A decent rule of thumb is to plant tiny trees (those that mature at less than 30 feet) at least 10 feet from a home or utility line; trees that grow 30 to 70 feet should be at least 15 feet away. Trees over 70 feet tall should be kept at least 20 feet from structures or utility lines.

You also should consider leaving enough room for root growth. A tree’s roots can spread two and a half times its height. A tiny bed, mainly surrounded by pavement, limits root mobility, so giant trees are rooted less securely.

The University of Florida advises a minimum open soil area of 10×10 feet for little trees (less than 30 feet), 20×20 feet for medium-sized trees (30-50 feet), and 30×30 feet for large trees (more than 50 feet).

Keep the trees in a group.

The Arbor Day Foundation reports that isolated trees are more vulnerable to storm damage than those planted in groups of five or more. According to the Foundation, this technique provides mutual protection and root stability while reducing wind velocity.

While planting trees in groups may not be feasible in tiny yards, it can be helpful when space allows, particularly in rural settings.

Another approach is to stick with smaller species and cultivars, which have a more compact framework and are less susceptible to storm damage.

Train the trees

A tree with a good structure is better at resisting storms. Often, limbs that fall in a storm are linked to the stem at weak, narrow angles. Because competing leaders (known as co-dominant) have included bark, which is prone to splitting and cracking, try to preserve a single central stem toward the top.

Prune gradually, focusing on a few branches each year until the canopy reaches around two-thirds of the tree’s height.

Remove broken, damaged, infected branches, rubbing against another branch or extending inward. Smaller cuts heal faster, so aim to remove branches before they reach 1 inch in diameter.

Plant the trees correctly.

Planting your tree appropriately will get it off to a good start and help you avoid future difficulties. Make a hole twice the width of the root ball and as deep as it is.

Examine the roots before planting; if they are circling, make two-inch cuts into the root ball at four equal distances and along the bottom to encourage roots to migrate outward. This prevents the tree from girdling or strangling itself.

When planting, leave the tree’s root collar above the ground. Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch in a doughnut pattern, and water frequently if the week’s rainfall is less than 1 inch.

Keep the trees healthy.

Have you noticed that tree storm damage frequently exposes an empty hollow containing ants or insects? Depending on where the hollow is, it could cause a limb or an entire tree to fall. Thankfully, proper maintenance keeps the tree healthy and injury-free, as cuts and wounds expose it to insects and disease.

To the greatest extent possible, avoid mechanical damage caused by lawnmowers and grass trimmers. Mulch to the dripline (the outer edge of the canopy), but avoid piling mulch against the trunk, as this can induce stem girdling and rot.

If you stake a tree, remove the wires and stakes within a year so they don’t girdle the stem. Wrap thin-barked trees in cold locations to protect the bark from freeze-thaw damage throughout the winter.

Reinforce the weak trees.

If your trees are prone to storms, consider using tree braces or cables to reinforce them. These support systems can assist in spreading the branches’ weight more evenly, lowering the danger of failure during heavy winds.

If you aren’t sure how to go about it, you should consult a professional to recommend the best technique for your unique tree species.

Be ultra-cautious with the older trees.

Many people think that all they need to do is prune their trees, but this isn’t the case. Pruning is not always an option when working with an older tree.

You may need to do much more. For example, cutting huge limbs from a mature tree may weaken its structure. And you don’t want this.

As the tree attempts to seal severe wounds, it may become imbalanced and experience a slowing of development.

To be on the safe side, you should be ultra-cautious about pruning and supporting the tree. If you have had the tree for a long time and would love to keep it, consult a professional to guide you on how to protect it and keep it in tip-top shape for a long time.

Parting shot

Taking preventative measures to keep trees from falling on your home during a storm is critical for protecting your property and loved ones. Regular tree maintenance, appropriate planting, reinforcing weak trees, eliminating hazardous trees, and maintaining a transparent environment are all necessary precautions to reduce the risk.

Consulting with skilled arborist services Kensington providers regarding your tree services can provide critical advice geared to your specific requirements. Remember to stay safe and safeguard your property from the potential hazards of falling trees during a storm.