Autumn is a beautiful time of year for trees, but it is also when the first big storms of the season arrive. A little preparation now can make the difference between a tree that rides out the wind and one that drops a branch on your roof. Here is how to get your trees ready for the autumn and winter storm season.
Why trees fail in storms
Healthy trees are remarkably good at coping with wind. Most failures happen because of an existing weakness: decay in the trunk or roots, a weak fork, dead branches, or a crown that has become too large and heavy for the tree to support. Wet autumn soil also gives roots less grip, which is why storms in October and November can bring down trees that survived summer winds.
1. Walk around your trees
Take a careful look at each tree from all sides, looking up into the crown as well as at the base. Our post on signs of a dangerous tree lists what to look for, including fungi, cracks, dead wood and changes in lean.
2. Remove dead and hanging branches
Dead branches are brittle and are usually the first to come down in a storm. Branches that are already broken and hanging in the canopy are a particular hazard. Removing deadwood is one of the simplest and most effective ways to make a tree safer before winter.
3. Consider a crown reduction or thinning
A tree with a large, dense crown acts like a sail in the wind. A carefully planned crown reduction lowers the height and spread of the tree, reducing the load on the trunk and roots. Crown thinning removes a proportion of smaller branches to let the wind through. Both should be done to British Standards and without over pruning. You can read more in tree pruning and reductions.
4. Check weak forks and consider bracing
Trees that divide into two or more stems with a tight V shaped fork can split in high wind. In some cases, a flexible cable bracing system installed in the crown can support the fork and reduce the risk of failure without removing the tree.
5. Look at trees near buildings, cables and roads
Prioritise trees that could hit something if they failed: your house, a neighbour’s property, a garage, a road or overhead lines. Branches rubbing against roofs or growing into gutters should be cut back. Never prune near power lines yourself. Contact your electricity network operator or a specialist.
6. Do not forget conifers and hedges
Tall conifer hedges can catch a lot of wind, especially if they have grown well above their original height. Reducing and shaping them before winter helps prevent them from being pushed over or split apart. See our post on conifer trimming.
7. Book early
Once the first named storm of the season has been and gone, tree surgeons get very busy with emergency work. Booking preventative work in early autumn means it can be done calmly, safely and before the worst weather arrives.
Autumn tree work and emergency call-outs
Faithful Tree Care carries out storm preparation work, crown reductions, deadwood removal and inspections across Worcester, Worcestershire and Herefordshire. We are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. If a tree is damaged or dangerous after a storm, call our emergency number, 07828 786300. For a quote on preventative work, send us an enquiry.
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