It’s April and that means stormier days ahead. Tornadoes, thunderstorms, wind, rain and hail are all possible this time of year, especially for Indiana’s unpredictable weather pattern. “With their girth, large trees may seem indestructible but though they may withstand most things, hurricane-force winds, lightning, and floods brought about by non-stop rain can wreak havoc on the plants.” (American Arborists). With these destructive forces, comes damage to your property, home, and trees. So what do you do to prevent your trees from being damaged?

The good news is, “over time, trees swaying in the wind develop extra strength to withstand directional forces. If conditions are consistent, trees will initiate changes in their development to compensate for these loading patterns.” (Purdue Extension)

You can do a lot to help your trees better withstand these massive storm systems with a little extra care and attention. “The first and the most effective step to storm-proof trees is by keeping them strong and healthy long before a storm arrives and ruin everything in your yard.” (American Arborists) Here are some other key factors that help trees withstand these storms (American Arborists).

Make sure trees are:

Watered
Fertilized
Pruned properly, especially with young trees.
Protect tree’s root system and avoid construction and excavation.
Add mulch

Also, if you are concerned about the strength and tolerance of specific trees on your property, you can contact us, and we can send a professional to your home to assess which trees are sensitive to future storms and damage. We can also assist with deciding which trees need pruning or removal.

Make sure you are prepared this storm season and prevent possible damage to your home, landscape and property with the help of our services. Browning Tree Service is a proud member of Indiana Arborist Association and International Society of Arboriculture, serving the West Lafayette and Lafayette, Indiana area!

Resources:

https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-FAQ-12-W.pdf

https://www.americanarborists.net/tree-tips/2017/august/protecting-your-trees-from-storm-damage/