Trim Your Risk of Tree Problems

Falling trees and limbs cause hundreds of millions of dollars of damage each year, as well as personal injuries and deaths. Windstorms and ice storms are leading causes of such events, but wildfires (which can occur in nearly every state) are also a serious threat.

Some potential problems are easy to spot:

· Cracks in the trunk or major limbs
· Hollow and decayed trees
· Trees that look one-sided or lean significantly
· Branches hanging over the house near the roof
· Limbs in contact with power lines
· Mushrooms growing from the bark, indicating a decayed or weakened stem
· V-shaped forks rather than U-shaped ones; V-shaped forks are more likely to split
· Crossing branches that rub or interfere with one another

Homeowners should take the following precautions:

· Regularly examine trees.
Check for damage or other trouble signs.
· Prune.
Check local tree regulations prior to pruning or tree removal. Avoid pruning branches flush to the trunk so you don't remove trunk wood and open the plant to possible decay or insect damage. Begin by making a cut partway through the bottom of any limb to be trimmed, a few inches from the trunk; then cut through the limb just above the first cut to ensure that the limb will not tear off a long strip of bark when it falls. Finish by cutting off the few inches sticking out from the truck; be sure to leave the “branch collar,” the swollen area of trunk tissue that forms around the base of the branch, to protect the main trunk from damage.
· Be careful what you plant in wildfire areas.
Plant vegetation that is native to the region (native plants typically hold water better and stand up to fire better). Space trees at least 10 feet apart; trees with larger canopies will require more spacing, possibly up to 20-30 feet. Remove dead or dying trees and shrubs. Keep trees and shrubs pruned; branches of mature trees should be at least 6 feet from the ground and shrubs under trees should be no more than 18 inches high. Trim branches so they do not extend over the roof or near the chimney. Promptly dispose of cuttings and debris.
· Plant appropriate species.
Check with city foresters, county extension offices, local nurseries and landscape firms for advice about tree selection for your area and soil conditions.
· Deal with storm-damaged trees immediately.
Plan ahead before deciding what to do with fallen trees. It is generally best to reset only smaller trees, since large trees will be weakened and may fall again. Before you reset a tree, cut, smoth and paint all jagged and irregular root breaks; water the tree well and fertilize; straigthen uprooted trees and brace them with guy wires or braces for two years. Prune a damaged tree just enough to balance the loss of roots; cut out broken, diseased and malformed branches to give the tree a desirable shape. If you are going to leave tree stumps, cut them off flush with the ground; if you plan to remove them, leave four feet of stump standing (removal will be easier and less expensive if stumps can be pulled out rather than dug out). Cut off broken or torn limbs to avoid unnecessary bark stripping.
· The main source of danger is the blade.
To perform its task efficiently, the blade must be sharp and travel at a high speed. It can cause serious injury if a hand or foot is allowed to get under the mower while the engine is running. Never attempt to unclog or work on a lawnmower while the engine is running.
· Disconnect the sparkplug wire.
Any time it is necessary to reach under the mower, disconnect the spark plug wire to insure that the engine cannot start. It takes a little extra time, but not as long as it does to recover from a serious injury.
· Check for frayed or cut wiring.
If using an electric lawnmower, wires can easily get cut by the blade. Keep an eye on the wiring as you move the mower and check for frayed or cut wiring every time you mow.