How To Check Your Trees Before Winter

As the weather begins to cool down and winter sets in, we start to spend more time indoors. This is the time of year when we think about fireplace coziness instead of outdoor tree care. This means that trees are often forgotten until they drop a heavy load of snow or iced-over branches, or worse, fall on your house and power lines. 

Trees can be a hazard if they are not properly maintained before winter weather sets in. Strong winds, ice, and snow can damage the already delicate structure of the tree and cause branches to fall on your roof, through a window, or on top of a car. 

If you live or work in Dawson County, you may want to have a Dawsonville tree service check the trees on your property and whether they need any maintenance before winter. Here are some things that your local Dawsonville tree care specialist can look for during checks of nearby trees that may pose a threat to your property and to help your trees make it through the winter.

Are your trees dead or alive?

The first step to any at-home tree safety assessment is to check if your trees are still alive. You can do this by gently scratching the bark with your fingernail. If the tree is dead, the bark will come off easily. If the tree is still alive, you will see green underneath the bark. Another way to check if a tree is alive or dead is by doing a tap test. To do this, use a small hammer to lightly tap on the trunk of the tree. If the tree is dead, it will make a hollow sound. If the tree is still alive, it will make a solid sound. 

If you have a tree that you think may be dead, it’s best to have a professional arborist come out and take a look. They will be able to tell for sure if the tree is alive or dead and whether it needs to be removed before winter.

Now that you’ve determined if your tree is alive or not, here is our pre-winter checklist to determine if your trees are ready for winter:

Check for Cracks or Damage in the Trunk

As trees grow, they can develop cracks in the trunk or large branches. These cracks can weaken the tree and make it more susceptible to damage from winter weather and breakage in strong winds. Before it gets colder, inspect your tree for any cracks or splits in the trunk or branches. If you find any you should have a professional arborist like SAM Tree Service in Dawsonville come out and assess the damage.

Make Sure the Roots Are Healthy

The roots are what give trees strength and stability. If the roots are not healthy, the tree will be more likely to fall over in high winds or during a winter storm. You can check the health of your tree’s roots by doing a root collar excavation. This is where you dig around the base of the tree to expose the roots. If the roots are healthy, they will be white or light-colored. If they are dark-colored or mushy, they are not healthy and the tree may need to be removed.

Look for Signs of Insects or Diseases

Trees can also be weakened by insects or diseases. Look for any signs of insect infestations, such as holes in the leaves or bark, or sticky sap on the trunk. These can be signs that the tree is infested with insects that are damaging it from the inside. Also look for any signs of disease, such as discolored leaves or branches, or mushrooms growing at the base of the tree. If you see any of these signs, you should have a professional arborist come out and assess the tree. They may be able to treat the problem or they may recommend that the tree be removed.

Prune Loose or Damaged Branches

Once you have determined the health of your tree, the next step is to prune the branches. Pruning helps to remove dead or dying branches that could fall and cause damage during a winter storm. It also helps to improve the tree’s overall health particularly when it comes to pruning Bradford pear trees.

When pruning trees, it’s important to make sure that you don’t remove more than ⅓ of the tree’s branches. Removing too many branches can weaken the tree and make it more likely to fall over.

If you’re not sure how to prune your trees, or if you have large trees that need to be pruned, it’s best to hire a professional tree service. They will have the proper equipment and training to safely prune your trees.

Where will the tree fall?

This is an important aspect to consider when deciding whether or not to remove a tree. If the tree is close to your house, it could fall and damage your property. If the tree is in a public area, it could fall and injure someone. Always double-check that the tree is not too close to power lines - falling trees are a major cause of power outages. In these cases, it’s best to have the tree removed before winter.

Wrap Your Trees Before Winter

A key step in preparing your trees for winter is to wrap them. This is especially important for young trees or trees that are prone to damage from wind, ice, or snow. Tree wraps help to protect trees from winter weather damage by:

1. 
   Keeping the trunk warm: This helps to prevent the tree from freezing and cracking in cold weather.
2. Protecting against sunscald: This is a condition that can happen when the bark of a tree warms up in the sun and then freezes quickly when the sun goes down. This can cause the bark to crack and peel off.
3. Keeping branches from rubbing together: This can help to prevent damage that can occur when branches rub together in strong winds.

If you decide to wrap your trees, make sure to use a breathable fabric like burlap or cheesecloth. Wrap the tree from the bottom up, leaving a gap at the top to allow for air circulation. Be sure to remove the wrap in the spring so that the tree can breathe!

Need a certified arborist? Contact Superior Arbor Management today!

When it comes to pre-winter tree care, don't take any chances. SAM Tree Service in Dawsonville has years of experience working on all types of trees and projects for the winter season. Hire a certified arborist from Superior Arbor Management, and rest assured that your property is in good hands this winter. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!