Now that we are almost through the fall season and winter is right around the corner, the increase in the different types of precipitation that we experience this time of year increases the risk of tree limbs breaking and falling.  Whether you are inside your home and you hear that distinctive loud crash or you wake up to the damage after a storm has raged through overnight, this is no time to procrastinate, especially if it has blocked your driveway, damaged your home, or is lying across your property or vehicles.

 

If you are unsure about how to remove and dispose of the broken branch or limb and want to try and restore the wounded tree’s natural beauty, here are four helpful tips by tree care in San Josethat will prepare you for dealing with this type of situation:

 

·         Don’t forget about trimming back broken, splintered bark – insects love those areas where the bark has been broken and splintered.  If left unattended, your tree will get infested with certain pests that could eventually kill it.  Additionally, you don’t want to trim the bark so far back that you reach the inner layer of the tree itself.  Just be sure that any broken, splintered pieces of bark are removed.

 

·         Examine the situation from a distance – you should never approach a tree until you have ensured that no power lines have fallen nearby.  Furthermore, you should avoid walking underneath it until you are absolutely sure that no more branches or limbs are going to break and fall.  Before you walk into a potentially dangerous or even fatal situation, be sure that you have thoroughly examined the situation.

 

·         If the job is too dangerous for you to handle, PLEASE call a professional – even if you are a skilled DIY’er who fixes things around the house, a lack of experience in this type of situation can be extremely dangerous.  It may be too precarious or you may not have the right equipment and tools to do the job.  One way or the other, this is a task that is best left in the hands of a professional tree care specialist.

 

·         You can do the work yourself if it involves minimal damage and smaller limbs – if you’re able to trim back the smaller branches back to a larger branch, this will help to prevent limb decay and rot.  This can easily and safely be done without the assistance of a professional.  However, larger branches that need to be trimmed back to the trunk require the services of an arborist or tree care specialist.

 

There’s no need to be concerned about the appearance of your tree in these situations as it will restore itself quickly.  It may look somewhat bare at first, but if it’s allowed to heal and regrow, you won’t notice a difference over time. It is best to let a good and licensed tree care service look after your trees and landscaping.