How to prepare your trees for storms

Did you have tree damage during Western New York’s summer tornadoes or winter storms?

Proper planning and good care can help keep trees healthy, which prevents expensive damage, according the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

September is National Preparedness Month, so this is a good time to review your emergency plans for storms.

Tip: If your community is ready to get started with storm mitigation, see the new Storm Mitigation Workbook and Template available now.

Trees

Start right

Plant the right tree in the right place; consider how tall and wide the tree will be when it’s mature. Plant your tree a safe distance from houses and vehicles.

While the tree is young and small, prune it for good branch development. This makes the tree more resilient during storms. See Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City Bulletin on Young Tree Pruning for details.

Take proper care of trees

Keep lawn mowers and string trimmers away from trees. They can damage the bark and surface roots by creating wounds that allow in bacteria and fungi, which can harm and even kill a tree.

No mulch volcanoes! Spread mulch in a wide circle around the tree, leaving space near the trunk (think of a donut shape). Don’t pile mulch against the tree’s bark in a volcano shape; this leads to rot and decay that can cause the tree’s trunk to break in wind and rain.

During summer dry spells, provide trees with several gallons of water around the base of the tree every few days.

If your tree is showing signs of injury or disease such as dying leaves in summer, dropping limbs, or fungi such as mushrooms on the bark, contact a local arborist for an assessment and recommendations for care.

Prepare for heavy snow

Heavy snow and strong wind can damage shrubs and trees. See this previous article on what to do when that happens. In another previous article, learn how to prepare your shrubs ahead of time for heavy snow, which can bend shrubs and break branches.

Keep yourself safe

Whether it’s a winter storm, a tornado, a power outage or other emergency, you can find helpful information on this page from the New York State Office of Emergency Management.

Visit the US Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website for information on how to prepare for disasters and emergencies.