Blown Down
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Multi-trunk (included bark) before wind damage |
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Multi-trunk (included bark)
after wind damage |
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Topping trees causes poor branch attachment |
Strong winds and poor maintenance call for unforeseen tragedy, damage and
liability. With the isolated high wind storms the second week in January of
this year in San Diego came the typical tree limb breakage and home and car
damage from failing tree parts.
There are many actions you can take to help in preventing your trees from
failing. Now is the time to look over tall trees for the tell-tale signs of
tree architectural defects that could lead to tree failure and property
damage or even injury and fatalities, as we have had already this year with a
woman in Old Town, San Diego.
These tips are meant to serve as a general overview if you know the
peculiarities of different tree species' growth habits and recognize
potential branch or root failures and the reasons behind them. Having a
Certified Arborist evaluate your trees for potential hazard situations will
save you in many ways in the long run.
* If the tree is relatively young, apply the modified proverb that says train
a tree when it is young in the way in which it should grow and when it gets
older it will not depart from it. It is critical to remove crossing branches
and select a straight, dominant leader.
* Poor branch-trunk attachment. Look for branches that have a v-shaped,
branch-trunk attachment. These are weak and will split with high winds. When
branches grow this way, it is another indication of poor structure which is
called “included” bark. This is caused when two branches grow against one
another instead of bonding and growing together.
* The sail or mast effect: Most tree canopies are naturally designed for the
wind to blow through them. However, when the main stem is broken or the bud
at the top of the stem dies or when trees are topped, buds along the stem
will sprout and compete to become the new leader. It's kind of like politics-
when the old leader steps down, there is a flurry of new candidates pushing
to get the job. This flush of new stems, striving to be the new leader,
creates a broom-like, bushy growth that is a weak point structurally and is
vulnerable to wind-throw from several standpoints.
There are some other pruning concerns that should be studied before any
action is taken in tackling the problematic areas of a tree's structure, such
as how to selectively remove branches with weak branch angles and how to cut
a branch without cutting into the “collar.” Knowing the tree species’ growth
habit is also important in shaping a tree, which requires an experienced
Certified Arborist.
For more information regarding your trees and how we can help ensure they are
healthy and safe, please call us at (858) 505-8300 ext. 311 for Tom Paulson
our Certified Arborist.
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Randy Newhard is President and Founder of New Way Landscape & Tree Services,
a full-service landscape maintenance and tree care contractor serving
commercial, industrial and multifamily housing in San Diego County for 22
years.
(858) 505-8300 • www.newwaypro.com |
