Dealing with Hurricanes

Some people assume that the men and women who cut trees for a living are happy when a hurricane takes down trees, mostly because a major storm will mean a lot of work and therefore pay.  The truth is, we become arborists because we love trees.  We hate to see trees and shrubs damaged or killed.

We also feel for homeowners who see heavy limbs fall on their roofs or cars.  That’s why we keep an eye on the weather and prep when the weather models indicate we’ll get high winds.  Preparation is key to any response in a bad situation and anyone who’s lived in Connecticut for a few years knows we’ll get a memorable hurricane before too long.

Responding to Storms

There are two ways to deal with storms.  One is to respond quickly and safely to Mother Nature’s temper tantrum.  Irene and Sandy are still fresh in our minds.

If you need help clearing a damaged or dead tree, try to remain patient.  Tree services are in high demand just after a storm and every arborist will do his or her best to take care of customers while maintaining a safe work environment.  Pushing forward through fatigue or equipment that needs some TLC will just make a bad situation dangerous.

Preparing for Storms

The other way to deal with storms is to take action while the weather is good. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Find a good arborist when the sun is shining and you have the time to listen to more thane one, to learn what skills each offers to you and your family, and to make a considered decision when you select the arborists you want on your team as you maintain your home.  Then, if a tree falls during a storm or a large limb traps your car in the garage, you’ll know what to do and avoid adding to an already miserable time.

You can also ask a good arborist for a free consultation.  A skilled eye can evaluate how a tree has grown over time and propose ways to make it stronger or less susceptible to storm damage.  For example, a bush that is pruned on a regular basis will be healthier and stronger than one that has been left alone.  Pruning is not just for esthetic purposes nor is it just for bushes.  Thinning a canopy on a tree can allow winds to pass safely through branches, rather than pushing the trunk past its limits.  Bending branches can be scary to see from inside a house but a lot less so than a wood breaking off to become a projectile.

We’re fast approaching the end of hurricane season but that doesn’t mean we’ll never see another hurricane.  Take care of you trees so they can continue to take care of you—shading you from hot sun and offering sweet, fresh oxygen, not to mention the smiles you’ll get from seeing that beauty in your yard.  Call Tree-Scape and Fitch today!