When a summer thunderstorm rolls through west-central Georgia, it can pack a wallop. After the storm passes, you may want to take some time to learn how to identify storm damage on trees. If you need help, seek experts offering tree services in Newnan, GA, to look for issues that indicate storm-damaged trees.
Study Damage to the Trunk and Bark
One of the key tree hazard indicators after a storm is damage to the trunk or bark. A trunk might have cracks in it. The weight of the limbs and wet leaves after a rainstorm, coupled with high winds, could put too much pressure on the trunk, cracking or splitting it.
If some bark popped loose off the trunk after the storm, the tree may have additional damage. Loose bark can also indicate a dying tree.
Look for Damage in the Canopy and Limbs
When doing a wind damage assessment, look in the canopy. Branches in the crown may take the brunt of a windstorm, causing them to crack. Some of these limbs might only partially break, leaving them hanging in the tree. In the next storm, they might pull further loose and fall to the ground, breaking other branches along the way. They need to be removed.
After inspecting the canopy as part of learning how to identify storm damage on trees, you should call for help. Homeowners should not try to remove branches dozens of feet off the ground themselves because of the risk of falling or being struck by heavy limbs.
A trusted arborist can use ladders and cranes to remove cracked and hanging limbs in the upper part of the crown. Such actions are part of storm damage tree cleanup that helps to keep the plant as healthy as possible.
Measure the Angle of a Leaning Tree
If a tree seems to lean after a storm hits the area, you might have damage to the roots. Underground roots shouldn’t be visible, but if they stick out of the ground after the storm, you might have significant damage to the tree.
If you notice that the tree leans far more than it did before the storm, you should have an arborist check the tree for damage. Additionally, any tree that is leaning more than 15 degrees is in danger of falling and needs an inspection. If the tree wasn’t leaning before and is at 15 degrees or more after the storm, an immediate inspection is necessary.
Count on Boss Tree Service for Help With Post-Storm Tree Care
Learning how to identify storm damage on trees is easier when you rely on our experts at Boss Tree Service. We can spot even subtle tree injury signs and use the information to advise you on what to do.
We can help with determining the likely risk of a damaged tree falling. We’ll also discuss who is liable for the cost of removal with our fallen tree removal liability guide. To set up an appointment for tree inspection or for 24/7 emergency tree removal, call Boss Tree Service today at (770) 251-8000.