“We’re overdue for one” the weather people keep warning us. It’s been 25 years since Long Island experienced the wrath of Hurricane Gloria, when hundreds of thousands of people were without power, thousands of trees littered the streets, and millions of dollars in damage resulted. Despite predictions, we’ve managed to get by relatively unscathed by Earl and Nicole, thankfully. But even one unfortunate tree fall can cause disastrous results, as many commuters learned this the hard way after being stranded in Penn Station the other week when a tree fell on the tracks, causing all trains to be cancelled.
So what can we do to minimize damages and “storm-proof” our trees? At hurricane force winds of 75+ mph, ANY tree is susceptible to uprooting and windthrow. But at lower wind speeds, which occur much more frequently on Long Island , there are some simple things you can do to protect your home and your trees. The first step is to have your trees evaluated by an ISA Certified Arborist. With experience and training, a qualified arborist will be able to give you some suggestions on how to best minimize any risk associated with your trees.
Things to look for are trees that have internal or root decay. Trees that naturally have weaker wood, like Norway Maple, and those that often have poorly attached branches, like Bradford Pear, are also at greater risk.
Photo: Bradford Pear split due to poorly attached branches following a summer storm.
One important point to consider is if you have had your sidewalk or driveway replaced within the past 3-4 years. Trees that are close to the driveway or along the street often have their roots cut when a sidewalk or driveway is replaced, and are therefore not as stable as trees with a full root system to anchor them.
Photo: Replacement of the sidewalk minimized injury to this Beech tree's root system.
One of the simplest things you can do to protect your home and property is to remove all the dead branches in your trees. Dead branches are much more likely to break and fall than live branches. I have seen dead tree branches as thin as a pool cue stick crack a car’s windshield! Also check out the trees that are near your power lines. LIPA is responsible for removing any branches that are in direct contact with wires, but you may need to hire a tree care company to remove other branches.
By evaluating your trees before a major storm, you’ll be able to minimize damages to your property and may even save your trees!
