Storm Damage

What to do if your tree is damaged?

Trees are symbols of longevity and sturdiness, but nothing lasts forever. Be it natural disasters or climate change, your favourite tree might eventually suffer damage. It may be sad, but it’s prudent to act quickly and assess the situation, lest your tree collapses entirely. Thankfully, trees are sturdy and have a marvellous ability to self-repair when the damage isn’t too severe. With these four easy steps and a bit of care, you can assist and speed up the healing process.

Safety First

When assessing a damaged tree by yourself, safety should always be your first priority. Always watch for branches that are hanging precariously or propped up by other limbs, as wind or other forces may cause the tree to shift and for the broken parts to fall. Additionally, in the event that a collapsing tree had hit power lines, it is best to simply avoid investigating by yourself altogether and call a professional.

Pruning Branches

Pruning a damaged tree is something that can be done relatively easily. Cutting off branches that are broken can remove some of the danger as well as help the tree kickstart the healing process, increasing airflow and light exposure.

Take care to not over prune, however. Smaller branches simply need to be snapped off from the larger limb it is attached to; avoid cutting down to the trunk unless the damage extends to the big branches. Topping the tree (cutting branches down to the stubs) is an even worse idea, as it weakens future growth, and likely slows down the healing due to lack of leaves for photosynthesis.

Binding Wounds

A damaged tree is vulnerable to infection or rot, both of which can cause the death of your tree. To prevent this, it is a good idea to file down the tree bark with a knife or a chisel, so that the wounds are smooth and even for proper regrowth.

Call in a Professional

It is never black and white when it comes to tree damage. It is always best to contact a professional that knows what they are doing. If you are faced with a more complicated issue, don’t hesitate to contact NSW Tree Management for professional help. In particular, when you observe these problems, do not attempt to tackle them on your own:

Uneven tree crowns
Uprooting/visible roots
Splitting in the trunk
Decay (holes/cavities)
Bumpy soil

Instead, give NSW Tree Management a call, and we will send a professional as soon as possible to figure out a solution.

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NSW Tree Management are experts in tree assessments.

What to do if your tree is damaged?