Comment
Rate
Don't go out on a limb
|
||
| Advertisement |
By Kris Hilgedick
khil@newstribune.com
Step away from the chainsaw.
Your trees may look bad, but don't cut them down just yet.
Although safety concerns obviously must be addressed, Forestry Field Program Supervisor Justine Gartner is asking property owners to wait until the ice subsides before making any drastic decisions.
“Don't try to break the ice off. Many trees will spring back and be fine,” she advised.
Gartner also is concerned many homeowners - particularly the elderly - might find themselves accosted by inexperienced tree “surgeons,” who travel in from out-of-town to find work.
“They don't prune the trees properly and many don't carry proper insurance,” she said. “So if an accident happens, it could be considered the homeowners' fault. And a badly pruned tree can create lots of future problems.”
Instead, foresters hope people will contact a certified arborist; experienced professionals can be reached at www.isa-arbor.com.
At a minimum, Gartner said people should hire workers who carry their own insurance and have a permanent address.
Also, if people are going to do the work on their own, they should use caution. It's best to contact a professional if the tree is large, if the work is off the ground or if a chainsaw is needed.
This week Gartner drove through some of the region's ice-ravaged neighborhoods. “I saw some poor species choices ... lots of silver maples,” she said. “And some of the trees were in poor locations (such as too close to buildings or under power lines).”
Gartner said she also noticed some species' - crabapples, Japanese maples - root systems apparently failed, causing the tree to topple over and the rootball to pop up. Either the ground was too saturated or they were not properly planted, she suggested.
Often trees necessarily have been trimmed to make room for power lines. Gartner said some - though not all - utility companies do a good job making well-thought-out cuts. “AmerenUE does good work,” she said.
How bad is this ice storm that has hit Mid-Missouri?
“It will be bad enough that it will hurt,” she said. “But I don't think it's to the scale of what hit Springfield last year.
“That Springfield storm was amazing.”
If you are interested in replanting some of the trees that bit the dust in December's ice storm, the Missouri Department of Conservation offers seedlings for sale.
Planting trees in winter actually isn't a bad time for many species, because they are dormant.
“If you plant a tree in the winter, the maintenance is much, much less,” noted Gartner, mostly because young trees planted in summer require so much more water.
One warning: the department's seedlings are sold in bundles of 25 to 50 plants.
So, if you are interested in purchasing the trees, you may want to consult with friends, family and neighbors to see if they might be willing to take a few off your hands.
“They are intended for reforestation,” Gartner explained. “Or for establishing windbreaks.”
The seedlings are: bare-rooted; up to three years old; vary in size; and are meant for use in Missouri. They are also sold in bundles. For example, the Pecan Variety Bundle offers land owners four different pecan varieties. The Wildlife Cover Bundle will improve habitat and food sources for a number of animal species. (Five different bundles are advertised.)
Prices range from $3 to $24. Orders can be taken now, but trees won't be shipped until February.
Phone orders are not accepted, but more information about the seedling program can be found at mdc.mo.gov.
Gartner warned the number of available seedlings is diminished this year. “We are limited because the frost last spring hammered what we're able to sell,” she lamented.
* Aside from the damage, is the tree basically healthy?
If the tree is healthy and not a hazard, it generally will recover if first-aid measures are applied after the storm.
* Are major limbs broken?
The larger a broken limb, the harder it will be for a tree to recover. If a majority of main branches are gone, the tree may have little chance of surviving.
* Has the leader - the major upward-trending branch - been lost?
In species where a leader is important to upward growth and appearance, it may be a judgment call. Trees can live without leaders, but are often stunted or deformed.
* Is at least 50 percent of the tree's crown intact?
This is a good rule of survivability.
* How big are the wounds where the branches are broken or bark has been damaged?
The larger a wound in relation to the size of the limb, the less likely it is to heal, leaving the tree vulnerable to disease and pests. A two- to three-inch wound on a 12-inch diameter limb will seal over with new bark in a couple of years.
* Are there remaining branches that can form a new branch structure?
The remaining limbs will grow more vigorously as the tree tries to replace missing foliage. Look to see if branches are in place to eventually fill out a tree's appearance.
Remove any broken branches still attached to the tree. Removing the jagged remains of smaller-sized limbs is one common repair homeowners can make after a storm. If done properly, it will minimize the risk of decay. Smaller branches should be pruned at the point where they join the larger ones. Large branches should be cut back to the trunk or a main limb by an arborist.
Repair torn bark. To improve a tree's appearance and eliminate hiding places for insects, carefully use a chisel or sharp 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 is necessary, as these fragile layers contain the tree's food and water lifelines between roots and leaves.
Resist over-pruning. Don't worry if the tree's appearance isn't perfect. You'll be surprised how fast it will heal and grow new foliage.
Don't top your trees. While storm damage may not always allow for ideal pruning cuts, topping denies a tree the foliage it needs to recover from storm damage.
Your trees may look bad, but don't cut them down just yet.
Although safety concerns obviously must be addressed, Forestry Field Program Supervisor Justine Gartner is asking property owners to wait until the ice subsides before making any drastic decisions.
“Don't try to break the ice off. Many trees will spring back and be fine,” she advised.
Gartner also is concerned many homeowners - particularly the elderly - might find themselves accosted by inexperienced tree “surgeons,” who travel in from out-of-town to find work.
“They don't prune the trees properly and many don't carry proper insurance,” she said. “So if an accident happens, it could be considered the homeowners' fault. And a badly pruned tree can create lots of future problems.”
Instead, foresters hope people will contact a certified arborist; experienced professionals can be reached at www.isa-arbor.com.
At a minimum, Gartner said people should hire workers who carry their own insurance and have a permanent address.
Also, if people are going to do the work on their own, they should use caution. It's best to contact a professional if the tree is large, if the work is off the ground or if a chainsaw is needed.
This week Gartner drove through some of the region's ice-ravaged neighborhoods. “I saw some poor species choices ... lots of silver maples,” she said. “And some of the trees were in poor locations (such as too close to buildings or under power lines).”
Gartner said she also noticed some species' - crabapples, Japanese maples - root systems apparently failed, causing the tree to topple over and the rootball to pop up. Either the ground was too saturated or they were not properly planted, she suggested.
Often trees necessarily have been trimmed to make room for power lines. Gartner said some - though not all - utility companies do a good job making well-thought-out cuts. “AmerenUE does good work,” she said.
How bad is this ice storm that has hit Mid-Missouri?
“It will be bad enough that it will hurt,” she said. “But I don't think it's to the scale of what hit Springfield last year.
“That Springfield storm was amazing.”
Planting anew
Although it may feel far too icy and miserable to even contemplate planting a tree this week, in a fortnight it might be 25 degrees warmer. Working outside might not seem nearly as out of the question.If you are interested in replanting some of the trees that bit the dust in December's ice storm, the Missouri Department of Conservation offers seedlings for sale.
Planting trees in winter actually isn't a bad time for many species, because they are dormant.
“If you plant a tree in the winter, the maintenance is much, much less,” noted Gartner, mostly because young trees planted in summer require so much more water.
One warning: the department's seedlings are sold in bundles of 25 to 50 plants.
So, if you are interested in purchasing the trees, you may want to consult with friends, family and neighbors to see if they might be willing to take a few off your hands.
“They are intended for reforestation,” Gartner explained. “Or for establishing windbreaks.”
The seedlings are: bare-rooted; up to three years old; vary in size; and are meant for use in Missouri. They are also sold in bundles. For example, the Pecan Variety Bundle offers land owners four different pecan varieties. The Wildlife Cover Bundle will improve habitat and food sources for a number of animal species. (Five different bundles are advertised.)
Prices range from $3 to $24. Orders can be taken now, but trees won't be shipped until February.
Phone orders are not accepted, but more information about the seedling program can be found at mdc.mo.gov.
Gartner warned the number of available seedlings is diminished this year. “We are limited because the frost last spring hammered what we're able to sell,” she lamented.
Is it a goner?
Before writing a tree off, homeowners should ask the following questions:* Aside from the damage, is the tree basically healthy?
If the tree is healthy and not a hazard, it generally will recover if first-aid measures are applied after the storm.
* Are major limbs broken?
The larger a broken limb, the harder it will be for a tree to recover. If a majority of main branches are gone, the tree may have little chance of surviving.
* Has the leader - the major upward-trending branch - been lost?
In species where a leader is important to upward growth and appearance, it may be a judgment call. Trees can live without leaders, but are often stunted or deformed.
* Is at least 50 percent of the tree's crown intact?
This is a good rule of survivability.
* How big are the wounds where the branches are broken or bark has been damaged?
The larger a wound in relation to the size of the limb, the less likely it is to heal, leaving the tree vulnerable to disease and pests. A two- to three-inch wound on a 12-inch diameter limb will seal over with new bark in a couple of years.
* Are there remaining branches that can form a new branch structure?
The remaining limbs will grow more vigorously as the tree tries to replace missing foliage. Look to see if branches are in place to eventually fill out a tree's appearance.
Tree first aid
Here are some tips:Remove any broken branches still attached to the tree. Removing the jagged remains of smaller-sized limbs is one common repair homeowners can make after a storm. If done properly, it will minimize the risk of decay. Smaller branches should be pruned at the point where they join the larger ones. Large branches should be cut back to the trunk or a main limb by an arborist.
Repair torn bark. To improve a tree's appearance and eliminate hiding places for insects, carefully use a chisel or sharp 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 is necessary, as these fragile layers contain the tree's food and water lifelines between roots and leaves.
Resist over-pruning. Don't worry if the tree's appearance isn't perfect. You'll be surprised how fast it will heal and grow new foliage.
Don't top your trees. While storm damage may not always allow for ideal pruning cuts, topping denies a tree the foliage it needs to recover from storm damage.
 |
 |
|
| Eldon residents getting city help with debris | West McCarty demolition contracts approved |
Article Rating |
|
Before commenting read the News Tribune Forum's policies and procedures.
Thanks.
To add your comments you must be registered and logged in |
RSS
