In my work as an arborist, I do a lot of assessing and speculation with folks. Will this tree fall on my house, does that tree look healthy, what would you do about this or that, etc.
It's always interesting to go see a new tree, in a new environment, and look for clues that lead to a satisfactory outcome. Oddly though, I am asked quite often about my thoughts on the weather. I'm the first person to tell you, I'm not a weather expert, but I do have some thoughts about this hurricane season. The original question this week was from a 7th grader asking if trees can grow down instead of up. Though it sounds interesting to investigate, I feel that's a question that can wait. We are going to discuss hurricane season, a few things to pay attention to, and some advice on how to prepare for the storm.
The late frosts this year were interesting because they were so late into the year. If you were to look at your trusty farmer's almanac you would notice that it didn't mention abnormally late frosts. The almanac says to watch for tropical storms in mid-August. September and October are expected to be warmer and dryer than normal as well.
In my travels I have noticed an above average number of dead pines. I mentioned this in a previous column, so you can read a back issue for that discussion. I worry about the abundance of dead trees and the likelihood of inclement weather. The trees are going to fall at some point, whether it's natural or an external condition. The longer it goes with the tree upright, the more the roots decay, insects eat into the trunk, birds and other animals begin nesting and then next thing you know a storm blows in.
Next time you go outside, look around at your surroundings. Enjoy the fresh air and the triple digit temps, but also look. Where are the trees, where are the powerlines, do you park under that old live oak for the shade, do the kids have a swing on the sweet gum tree, does the cypress keep the sun off the side of your house, etc. Now consider the trees' health and determine the risk if you did nothing and a hurricane came. A visual inspection can be very brief --- you're looking for changes. Do the leaves seem different, is the bark peeling, are there holes in the bark, do limbs keep falling, is it as leafy as it was last year, is it over the house, does it look safe, do you trust it?
Maybe you looked at your trees and think they should be trimmed; do you know how to properly trim that tree and can you physically do the work safely? You can always call, and I will help you make a plan, even if it's you are doing your own work. Let's see what you have, look at the health of your trees, and determine if you should do anything. A natural tree canopy may be more resistant to wind than a pruned canopy. I always suggest a thinner interior because it's like having a chain link fence instead of a wooden board fence. Let the wind blow through the trees instead of against the trees.
If you need an arborist, please don't hesitate to call us at 985-839-2637 or 985-205-4093. We would rather give you good, reliable information and advice than for you to tackle a project that finds you ill prepared. We want homeowners to be safe around trees and make good decisions when it comes to treatment and ongoing care.
If you have any questions, please email us at onecallsawworks@gmail.com or mail them to P.O. Box 427, Franklinton, LA 70438.
