Protect your trees from weather disasters with these Winter Storm Season Tree Safety Tips

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. - June 4, 2018 - PRLog -- While you can't shelter your trees from all weather disasters, you can follow some easy storm season tree safety tips to protect them—and yourself.

Keep tree limbs pruned
During the winter months, trees are in their dormant stages of growth—the ideal time to prune. Removing weak-jointed branches is important to protecting both you and your tree. Pay extra attention to weak, narrow-angled, v-shaped branch crotches, as these are often most susceptible to breakage. Additionally, branches over your house, sidewalk, or car can be cabled or braced for added protection.

Resist the temptation to shake your branches
When winter storms come through, tree branches are often laden with snow, and may even droop or bend under the snow's weight. Resist the temptation to shake those branches. Cold and ice can make them brittle, and you could damage them beyond repair.

Stay away from branches laden with ice and snow
This one may be common sense but is worth emphasizing—don't park or walk under branches laden with snow or ice.

Be vigilant about salt use
Areas that receive a lot of snow typically use a lot of salt on roads and sidewalks, which can definitely damage your tree. Avoid shoveling a bank of snow around the base of your tree. If you can't avoid it, use a gentle watering to wash away some of the snow and salt when the weather permits.

Protect your trees from snowplows
That snow around a tree's base also makes it harder to see where the tree is. Snowplows could hit your tree, causing a wound not seen until spring.

Take care of breakage right away
If after a storm you notice broken or damaged limbs, call a tree service right away. Broken limbs disrupt a tree's circulatory system, and prompt attention can prevent further damage to your tree.

If a storm severely damages or downs your tree, quickly call for emergency tree removal.

Keep these storm season tree safety tips in mind:
·       Keep away from damaged trees. Don't walk or park under obviously damaged branches. Keep cars, small children, and pets away as well.
·       Call for service right away, as a damaged tree is a liability. Look for a 24/7 emergency tree removal service in your area.
·       Hire a licensed, bonded service led by a certified arborist, such as Advanced Tree Care. Tree work can be complex and mistakes are costly, so entrust the job to experts like us.