After a storm has rolled through town, there will likely be a range of things around your property that you need to check for damage.

This could be tiles brought down from your roof, it could be guttering and drainpipes ripped away – it could even be damage caused to your vehicles by flying debris.

As busy as you are after a storm you should also take the time to check out any damage that may have been caused to any trees you may have in your yard. Sometimes the signs of storm damage in trees can be extremely subtle, and you may not pick up on it at first glance.

A closer inspection then will really pay off, as a damaged tree is a ticking time bomb that could topple over at any minute, creating a major hazard to people and property

If there’s a storm coming your way, don’t waste any time and start boarding up your home, learn how here:

Fallen

Naturally, trees that have already been brought to the ground are going to the easiest to spot.

However, you must take extreme care when you are inspecting them. As they fell, the trees could have brought down power lines with them – and broken power lines on the ground are a recipe for disaster.

Further, depending on the age & size of the tree plus how damaged the root system was, it may be possible to right and replant it. This decision however should be made by a professional, and a tree that is simply righted with a severely damaged root system is likely to come down again in the next storm or high winds.

According to Alan Barnes with Alans Tree Service Indianapolis, most fallen trees will need to be safely and responsibly disposed off by a licensed and professional tree company.

Leaning

Possibly the biggest flag of serious damage to a tree is if it has taken on a lean. It doesn’t even need to be at an extreme angle – a lean of just a few degrees indicates severe damage to the root system.

The root system off course is the anchor that keeps the tree upright. Any damage to it then can render a tree into a potential hazard.

Again, the advice of a professional should be sought and they can advise if the tree is likely to recover – or need to be removed.

Before I forget, here’s all you need to know about prepping for heavy storms and hurricanes.

Split Trunk

A split in the trunk of the tree will likely have a similar diagnosis to a tree that has started to lean. A split indicates that the structural integrity of the tree has been comprised, and again it is only a matter of time before the split widens and the tree breaks in half.

Unlike a lean, the tree is unfortunately very unlikely to recover from a split trunk.

 

So if you come across any of these issues it would be wise to contact a professional tree service immediately to arrange an inspection. The professional can appraise the situation and advise you of the next course of action – even if it means removing the tree for the sake of safety.…

I don’t know about you, but summer time is my favorite time of year! Going to cookouts, packing up for beach days, spending long lazy days basking in the rays of the sun and getting to take some breaks from the heat by taking a dip in a swimming pool! If you are lucky enough to have your own or are thinking about the purchase of one to your property, there are some things you need to consider.

 

First and foremost, if you are contemplating the purchase of a pool, do NOT expect the pool to change your home’s value. Some folks LIKE pools, but equally as many DO NOT. Adding a pool to your property will add nothing to the bottom line value of the home’s appraisal. Unless you have the money sitting around or have ample equity in your home, you will not be able to recoup the expense of the addition. So, bottom line – if you are going to add a pool to your property make sure you really want one and you will use it!

 

There are many costs that come with the ownership of a pool that many don’t think about. It doesn’t matter how large or small it is, or whether the pool is above ground or in-ground. If it holds water, you will need to TREAT that water. Salt water pools are fantastic and relatively easy to care for. The salinator on a pool takes salt and converts it to chlorine and circulates it through the pool. While this sounds effortless, and often is, the upfront costs of the addition of this can be costly. If you do not have a salinator you will need to treat the water with chlorine tabs or bromine, which can be an eye-opening expense, especially upon initial purchase. Having had many types of pools in my life, I will say that salt water is easier and less harmful on the eyes than straight up chlorine and it leaves your skin feeling soft, but the upfront costs were a bit pricey. Chlorine and bromine based pools were cheaper upfront to put in, but over time, you spend more in chemical maintenance. So it really is a personal choice in how you choose to spend your money.

 

My friend Tom Vanburg who recently purchased an in-ground pool himself said that you will also need to have your water tested weekly, regardless of the type of pool you may own. He owns a company that has nothing to do with pools, but he services both Virginia Beach and Chesapeake VA areas, so he’s seen plenty of other pools and spoke with homeowners there about their pool ownership struggles and took on their advice. He also mentioned that a professional pool store will test your water for free and give you pointers and suggestions on chemicals to add to extend the life of your pool and keep the water clear and clean. The purchase of chemicals like flocculants, alkalinity, PH balancers (plus or minus), algaecide or shock can cause a new pool owner’s wallet to go into cardiac arrest. But with direction from a professional you can be directed on what to purchase that is necessary for your pool’s particular needs. Tom also referenced this article regarding best and worst trees to plant around your pool, since it’s his area of expertise.

If you’ve read a bunch of scary thing about pools, don’t listen! Be sure to take all necessary precautions when building to avoid things like this:

 

If you have the money to spend, it might be worth your while to hire a pool professional to come to your home at the beginning and end of each season to help you prepare the pool for the season. At the beginning of the season, your pool might need to be balanced and cleaned before you can swim in it – and if it’s bad – it can take awhile for the water to become swimmable. At the end of the season, winterizing the system and the pool would be a good way to extend the life of the pool and equipment and make for a simpler opening the following season. Unless you have the know how to do this yourself, hiring someone with the professional experience may be your best bet.…

Well, the short answer is: It’s based on why you prune.

You can remove dead wood and light prune any time of the year.  Recognize that each tree species may differ. Follow these seasonal guidelines.

 

Winter Pruning

Practice pruning during the tree’s dormant period. If you desire a robust sprouting of new growth, do it in the spring. Wait until the winter chill had passed.  Some species like pine and walnuts may “bleed” when there’s a seepage of sap. It would stop and won’t hurt the tree when new leaves appear.

 

Summer Pruning

I’ve asked one of our partners it… After it stopped growing for the season, prune new trees or branches or guide it by slowing it down. This way would minimize the leaves and the amount of produced food that goes to the roots says Frank, the owner at https://www.littlerocktreecare.com – tree service company based in Little Rock, Arkansas. After all, flawed branches or unseen limbs is another good reason to prune in the summer.

 

Flowering Trees Enhancement

If you want to enhance flowering, follow these two rules.

 

1. Prune blooming trees with fading flowers in the spring.
2. Flowering tree and shrubs in mid to late summer should be pruned during the winter time or early spring.

 

Don’t Prune in Fall

During the fall, diseased fungi could spread to the tree’s spores real slow on chipped wood. Store your shears in your garage.

Generally if you hire a company or an individual to do your pruning, a tree surgeon will most likely show up and there’s a reason why… They go through rigorous training which you can read more about here and often times carry a certification of an arborist.

 

8 Tips for Perfect Pruning

 

1. Visualize and inspect the tree from top to bottom.
2. Observe these Pruning Rules.

• Don’t cut more than 1/4th of the crown in any period.
• Trim the sides 1/3 smaller than the trunk’s circle.
• From the roots, don’t snip more than a third of the total height for most broad-leaved trees.
• With the bole, coax the branches to angle a-third off upright at the ten o’clock or two o’clock positions.

3. Pinpoint the best spots for the tree and the branches. Prune to remove the bad branches to shape. Most trees should have a trunk.
4. For an aesthetic design, don’t fret about those pruned snips. Tree painting doesn’t necessarily stop or reduce disease.
5. Sharpen your tools. One-handed curved shears are recommended for young trees.
6. Major jobs should be handled by a professional arborist. For tall trees, utilize a pruner.
7. For massive limbs, trim the bark and ridge rollers. If too small, come in closer. No studs.
8. Small branches can be shortened by cropping them by going sideways from a bud or another limb. Choose one that’ll blossom in your preferred direction. Make a clean and sharpened cut at a modest angle behind the shoot.
9. Once completed, be sure to defend your newly pruned tree from animal attacks. Click here for more information and tips.

 

 

Do’s and Don’ts of Pruning:

DO

 

• Question your tree care company if they follow the American National Standard’s guidelines.
• Evaluate your trees for damage after bad weather.
• Keep in mind that correct pruning can extend the life of your tree.

 

Don’t

• Prune unless necessary
• Uproot more than 25% of foliage when it’s growing,
• Trim saplings unless it has bad branches.
• Go within 10 feet of a utility conductor.
• Snip branch collars or stubs.
• Use climbing spikes.
• Decorate the tree by coloring it
• Handle dangerous pruning jobs with ladders and chainsaw.
• Lion-tail the tree.

 

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