From LSU AgCenter County Agent Rusty Batty
St. Tammany Parish
Many trees and tall shrubs typically are affected by the strong winds following a hurricane. Planning before and attention after the storm can help your trees to recover. If you choose to take care of your trees or hire someone to do this, “sooner, rather than later’ is the best option.
Some tips to consider when tackling storm-damaged trees.
- Document the site damage. Take lots of pictures of the damaged trees and nearby damage caused from the tree.
- Take safety precautions. Be alert for nearby or downed power lines. Keep in mind some limbs also may be under pressure from supporting the trees weight.
- Examine the tree. Take several steps back and look, as well as looking at it up close. Some dangling limbs could fall with even a slight breeze.
- Remove any broken branches first.
- To avoid tearing the bark when pruning, 1) make a cut several inches from the trunk beneath the limb; 2) make a second cut from above, several inches out from the first cut; and 3) make a final cut just outside the branch collar, the raised area that surrounds the branch where it joins the trunk.
- If the tree is a potential hazard (on a home, vehicle or outdoor structure), consider hiring a professional arborist.
- Blown over trees should be removed. Large trees with exposed roots or heavy leaning will not recover to become a suitable, structurally intact trees.
- Grinding large stumps can be a quick but sometimes expensive method to finishing your tree cleanup project. This may be another opportunity to hire a professional.
There are several helpful publications and sources of information available online at www.lsuagcenter.com
For specific information on Storm Damaged Trees see:
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/NR/rdonlyres/1ECBEEAF-4FF9-45D5-A939-
A0CF9FA76526/26249/Pub2949DStormDamagedTreesFINAL1.pdf
Also you can find a wide variety of information regarding hurricanes and trees at:
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/lawn_garden/home_gardening/
trees_shrubs/Hurricane+Information+Series_seriespage-1.htm
For stump removal information see:
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/environment/forestry/urban_forestry/
Stump+Removal+from+Home+Grounds.htm