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Hurricane Help for Your Trees From SavATree

The flurry of storm activity in the Atlantic is evidence that hurricane season is heating up -- and with hurricanes sometimes comes property damage. High winds and heavy rain can wreak havoc on weak and stressed trees, causing branches to snap or trees to uproot. The key to minimizing your risk is being prepared.

There is no such thing as a hurricane-proof landscape but with proper care and timely maintenance overseen by a certified arborist, trees can be more resistant to storm damage. Only a certified arborist can ensure that your trees are being properly cared for and have optimal growing conditions.

Pruning is Vital to Prevention

A strong, deep-rooted tree may not fall during a storm, but weak limbs in the canopy may. Broken, dead and damaged limbs can be torn from the tree becoming projectiles capable of causing injury and property damage. Regular pruning done by a professional over the course of the tree's life can reduce these risks. Pruning creates a sturdy, well-spaced framework of healthy branches with an open canopy that will allow wind to flow freely through.

Trees to Watch Out For

• Trees with dense canopies
• Dead or dying trees
• Trees with codominant trunks
• New plantings and young trees

Consult a certified arborist to see if these, or any other tree hazards, exist around your home.

After the Storm Has Passed

Assess your property for damage and threats. An arborist should be contacted if: you need a chainsaw or ladder to prune away dead, dying or loose branches, power lines are down, you are unsure of the structural stability of a tree, or you do not know if a tree can be saved. In some cases, even a tree that has sustained some damage (defoliated, broken, or blown over) can be treated.

Watch This Video: Post Storm Tips from a SavATree Arborist

Trees have a much better chance of surviving if they receive proper, routine care. Remember, healthy trees can adjust more quickly to changes in the environment and are more resistant. Therefore, if you are proactive and take the necessary steps before a storm hits, you can reduce your risk of property damage -- saving yourself a great hassle and expense.

About SavATree: SavATree, the green choice for tree service and lawn care, provides environmentally sensible tree, shrub and lawn care services to residential, commercial, historic, government properties and more in select parts of CT, DC, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA. Services include: tree pruning, tree fertilizer, insect control, tree disease and more. Organic, traditional and hybrid options are available. For more information, visit www.savatree.com.