Checking Your Trees After a Flood

Flooding can cause a lot of damage to trees. The most obvious signs of flood damage are the uprooting of a tree or the heaving of the roots. But trees can also suffer from flooding by being over watered, suffering injuries from the debris that has washed past the tree in a flood, by the wind damage from the storm that caused the flooding, or longer term due to changes in the soil quality as a result of the flood.

If you have trees on your property that you want to preserve, Precision Tree & Landscape can help save your trees with proper care.

In the event of washout around the roots of the tree, soil can be replaced to provide a stable ground for your tree to thrive.

If your tree is waterlogged and suffering malnutrition, proper fertilization can be done to reinvigorate your tree. Even if your tree wasn’t directly in the flood path, it may still be over watered. Watch for wilting or drooping foliage, leaves that are brown in the center, brittle green leaves, or leaf yellowing or browning. These are all signs your tree may be suffering as a result of overwatering. </span

Trees that have injuries such as broken limbs or bark damage can be sealed to prevent insect problems and diseases.

If your property has a significant amount of trees, you may want to check for leaning trees and heaving roots from a safe distance using binoculars or the zoom in feature on your smart phone camera. If you are unsure about the content of your pictures, you can text them to Precision Tree & Landscape. While we cannot give a professional assessment over the phone, we may be able to answer immediate concerns or assess the urgency of your situation. We always prioritize jobs that may result in damage to life limb or property first.

If you are able to safely get close to your trees, look for signs of damage. The wet conditions following a flood can increase the risk of insect infestation or tree disease, so finding open wounds in your tree early can help prevent those problems.

And of course, if you are worried about your trees, please do reach out for a hazardous tree assessment. While a professional assessment from a Licensed Tree Expert is not free, it can save you a considerable amount in the future. We always prefer to save trees if possible, and other tree companies may default more quickly to removal. An assessment can give you peace of mind and help you properly assess the condition of your trees.