Storms this summer have been especially intense in Northeast Ohio and across the country. With high wind, hail, and possible tornadoes, tree damage is inevitable, so it’s important to know what to do and what not to do if a tree on your property is damaged by a storm.

Minor tree damage – a few downed limbs, some peeled bark – may seem like no big deal, but it’s critical that you assess damage before attempting any type of clean up or pruning. Look for:

• Downed power lines
• Loose branches tangled in the tree or not entirely broken away
• Leaning or damage to the roots that have made the tree unstable

Call a tree professional

Contact your local tree expert if you have experienced storm damage to trees on your property. The sooner you get damage assessed, the better chance you have of saving the tree, and that is likely your ultimate goal.

Even minor damage of a few broken limbs may require proper pruning to ensure the tree heals quickly. Torn away bark areas can become invested with bugs or diseased, so wound care is critical.

A seriously damaged tree should be removed by a professional trained to safely remove trees with proper techniques and equipment. Consider having a tree removed if:

• It has lost 50% or more of its branches
• It is leaning
• Large sections of bark are missing
• There is cracking anywhere on the trunk
• It has sustained severe damage to the root system
• The damaged tree is aging or already had some damage

Sometimes a moderately damaged tree can be saved by cabling (anchoring a damaged limb to the sound portion of the tree) and/or attentive care to ensure wounds heal. When a large tree must be removed, your local professional tree service can ensure it is done safely, without additional damage to your property.

If you are concerned about a storm damaged tree on your property, contact Linger’s Lumberjacks for a detailed assessment of the tree and what your options are. At Linger’s, expert pruning and cabling are options to save your trees, but if we must remove a tree, our professionals can provide crane and bucket service as well as stump grinding to get your property cleaned up and safe.

Call Linger’s Lumberjacks today or click here for more information about all of Linger’s services.