Emergency Pruning After Storm Damage: Immediate Steps to Save Partially Damaged Trees

When Nature Strikes: Your Tree’s Survival Depends on What You Do in the First 24 Hours

Storm damage can transform your beautiful landscape into a hazardous obstacle course in mere hours. While the immediate aftermath of severe weather can be overwhelming, the actions you take within the first 24-48 hours can mean the difference between saving a partially damaged tree and losing it forever. Trees are amazingly resilient and many recover with proper care and time. Despite the urge to do something immediately, try to be patient. As long as a damaged tree does not pose an immediate physical risk, the advice is simple: If you’re unsure about its condition, keep the tree for now.

Immediate Safety Assessment: Your First Priority

Safety is the first consideration in removing branches from storm-damaged trees. Before attempting any repairs, conduct a thorough safety assessment of your property. All branches that are loose should be removed as soon as possible to eliminate the chance of injury or damage if they were to fall. Look for these immediate hazards:

  • Hanging or dangling branches that could fall unexpectedly
  • Trees leaning against power lines or structures
  • Split trunks or major structural damage
  • Exposed or damaged root systems

Branches hanging over power lines are a major safety hazard. Special training is required to prune branches over power lines. Homeowners should not attempt to prune these branches. If you encounter any of these situations, contact emergency services or a certified arborist immediately.

The Critical First Steps for Tree Survival

Once you’ve ensured safety, focus on these immediate care steps that can save your partially damaged trees:

Remove Loose and Broken Branches

Other branches that are cracked or broken should be removed after the loose branches are gone. When removing damaged branches, proper technique is crucial. Use clean, sharp pruning tools to make clean cuts. Cut just outside the branch collar (the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk). Avoid leaving stubs, which can invite pests and disease.

For smaller branches you can safely reach from the ground, follow these steps:

  • Use a series of three cuts: two to remove the weight of the branch (first under then over the branch), then the final pruning cut
  • Make the proper pruning cut just outside the branch bark ridge and angle down and slightly away from the stem, avoiding injury to the branch collar
  • Disinfect tools between cuts to prevent the spreading of potential infections

Address Torn Bark and Wounds

To improve the tree’s appearance and eliminate hiding places for insects, carefully use a sharp chisel or knife to smooth the ragged edges of wounds where bark has been torn away. Try not to expose any more of the cambium (greenish inner bark) than necessary because these fragile layers contain the tree’s food and water lifelines between roots and leaves.

Professional Help: When to Call the Experts

Trees too large to handle from the ground should be pruned only by professional arborists. This is where companies like Green Light Tree Services in Suffolk County, New York, become invaluable. As a fully licensed and insured company, we are committed to customer satisfaction and safety, and we have a team of experienced professionals you can count on. Your tree health is important to us, and our team of certified arborists has the knowledge and experience to handle any tree-related challenge you may encounter.

Professional arborists should be contacted when:

  • Large branches require removal above ground level
  • The tree has structural damage to the trunk
  • More than 25% of the tree’s canopy is damaged
  • The tree is leaning significantly or has root damage

For homeowners in the Long Island area seeking expert tree pruning san remo and surrounding areas, Green Light Tree Services is the premier provider of tree services on Long Island. Providing residential and commercial clients with top-quality tree removal and maintenance solutions is our mission as a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals. In addition to tree removal and tree cutting, we offer tree trimming and pruning, stump grinding, emergency tree services, and more.

The “Wait and See” Approach: Patience Can Save Your Tree

Resist the temptation to simply cut down the tree and be done with it. Wait a while and think it over. Remember, time is on your side. Carefully prune broken branches. Then, give the tree some time to recover. You can make a final decision later.

Resist the temptation to prune too heavily. The tree will need all the foliage it can produce to survive the next growing season. Remove only the damaged limbs, then wait and see how the tree does. Prune no more than 25% of healthy branches to retain enough foliage for recovery.

What NOT to Do After Storm Damage

Avoid these common mistakes that can harm your tree’s recovery:

  • Never top trees. Topping creates serious hazards and dramatically shortens the life of a tree.
  • Never use paint or wound dressing to cover wounds. These materials do not help the tree and actually interfere with the tree’s wound sealing process.
  • Do not assume trees damaged during storms will benefit from a fertilizer application. In most cases, they will not and the fertilizer will inhibit the tree’s ability to recover.

Long-Term Recovery and Care

After addressing immediate safety concerns and emergency pruning, focus on supporting your tree’s recovery. Adequate hydration aids in recovery. Water deeply and regularly, especially during dry periods. You can use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to make sure water reaches the roots. However, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

When you choose Green Light Tree Services, you partner with a company that values your time, resources, and the environment. Our team comprises highly skilled professionals with a deep understanding of land-clearing techniques and the ability to adapt to various terrains and environments. We are committed to providing an unparalleled customer experience, from the initial consultation to project completion and follow-up.

Remember, you need a careful balance of fast action and long-term care to give your trees the best chance at recovery. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can often save your damaged trees and help them regain their former beauty and strength. Remember, when in doubt, it’s always best to consult with a certified arborist. These professionals can provide expert guidance on tree care and help make informed decisions about whether to save or remove storm-damaged trees.

Storm damage doesn’t have to mean the end of your beloved trees. With prompt, proper care and professional guidance when needed, many partially damaged trees can recover to provide years of continued beauty and environmental benefits to your property.