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RTEC Treecare

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6 Tips to Help Your Trees Weather Summer Storms

Resources: Seasonal Tree Care

Hurricane season is officially upon us! Although only 18 hurricanes have hit the DC metro area in the last 178 years, it’s common for us to experience residual rains and winds from hurricanes and tropical storms that make landfall further down the coast. Although not hurricanes, these storms still cause damage to healthy and unhealthy trees.

Some trees fare better in storms like white oak, sweetgum, black gum, and bald cypress. While others like silver maple, willow, and cherry, often experience broken limbs and uprooting. Whatever species tree you have, it’s best to make sure they are ready for summer storms by following the tips below.

1. Preventative Pruning

pruning shrubs 2

Regular tree maintenance can mean a world of difference when it comes to a tree’s strength during a storm. Preventative pruning reduces wind resistance and removes dead branches. This reduces the risk of the tree or the tree’s limbs snapping under the force of wind gusts.

2. Tree Inspection

The next time you’re out in your yard, take a minute and look at your tree. By inspecting your tree, you can spot structural issues that could increase the risk of your tree falling or limbs breaking during storms.

Prepare Your Trees For Summer Storms
  • Look for large branches attached with tight, v-shaped forks. These branches are prone to failure and may need to be lightened or removed.
  • Look for cracks in the trunk of the tree or in major limbs and the presence of extensive deadwood.
  • Look for cavities and hollow areas in your tree’s trunk.
  • Look for fungi growing from the base of your tree or under its canopy. This could be a sign of root decay.

If you see any of these signs of structural issues we suggest you contact a Certified Arborist.

3. Mulching

5 Most Important Fall Tree Care Tips

This tip is surprising to most homeowners but proper mulching can help your tree weather storms. Proper mulching protects the root system of the tree and allows water and nutrients to drain down through the soil to the roots instead of flooding. Keeping the root system healthy through proper mulching can increase the tree’s strength year-round but especially during storms.

4. Move Items From Under Trees

In case your tree or its limbs do fail during a storm, make sure to remove items from under the tree’s canopy. For example, do not park your vehicle under a tree if you know a storm is approaching, better to be safe than sorry.

5. Take A Look At Your Neighbors’ Trees

Your neighbors’ trees aren’t on your property but that doesn’t mean they can’t come crashing down on your house, shed, or car. Do a visual examination of your neighbors’ trees to see if there are any tell-tale danger signs. Or better yet, talk to your neighbors about having an Arborist inspect their tree.

Root Health 1

6. Bio-Stimulants & Root Health

Creating and maintaining a strong root system is incredibly important when it comes to withstanding storms. Unhealthy root systems are often the cause of a tree uprooting in a storm. Keep your tree’s root system healthy by giving it bio-stimulant treatments twice a year, a root collar excavation/root pruning when needed, and watering it properly.

Remember, trees are living organisms and there are a lot of factors that lead to a tree failing. Even properly maintained trees can fall in the correct conditions. However, preventative maintenance can decrease the risk of serious damage to your property from falling trees and limbs. Check out our article on why trees fall to learn more about the factors that contribute to the failure of a tree.

Need help with any of the tips above? Give us a call at 703-573-3029 or book an appointment online to meet with a Certified Arborist that can help your trees withstand summer storms.

We also provide emergency response if you do have a tree or limb that has fallen. Please call 703-573-3029 for assistance.

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Google Reviews

Grey Burkhart
Grey Burkhart
March 29, 2022.
Verified
Very professional review of our requirements and an accurate estimate. Showed up on time and were finished quickly. Cleaned up all of the debris and sawdust. Great job all around.
Dennis Bruns
Dennis Bruns
March 8, 2022.
Verified
We have used RTEC Treecare for several years. They do excellent work. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and take great care in explaining the various options available for your particular situation. I highly recommend them.
Annette Iannucci
Annette Iannucci
February 23, 2022.
Verified
We have been using RTEC for years and were very pleased with the recent tree maintenance work they did for us. As always, we got good advice from their arborist Ben,. The crew that did the work is highly skilled, and they did a great job trimming our trees. They worked safely and efficiently, in addition to leaving the yard clean after they finished the work.
Susan Crawford
Susan Crawford
January 26, 2022.
Verified
RTEC was at my house today to removed a large Magnolia that was badly damaged by the recent snow. They did a fantastic job at a very reasonable price. They arrived right on time, worked efficiently and quickly and cleaned up so well it was hard to tell anything have been disturbed. Over the past several years, I have used RTEC for all the services I checked above, and have always been very pleased with their service and professionalism. I also appreciate that they are not eager to take down trees that don't need to come down. In this case, the damage was too extensive for the tree to recover.
Kenton Morgan
Kenton Morgan
January 20, 2022.
Verified
Once again, RTEC has done a great job. The team showed up right on time and performed all the work that we agreed to. They kept us informed as to progress, coordinated with us concerning our maple, and made recommendations concerning ongoing support for our trees. At the end of the day, they thoroughly cleaned up the debris and left our yard in pristine condition. WELL DONE.
Jean Kluttz
Jean Kluttz
January 3, 2022.
Verified
Not our first time but this time was tricky removal of a large dead tree leaning on a healthy tree. Quick response for estimate, good timing to removal, all clear and healthy tree still fine.
Jerry Haggin
Jerry Haggin
December 16, 2021.
Verified
Very good work while ensuring that I was aware of status of my work order and planned completion.
Mike Iger
Mike Iger
December 16, 2021.
Verified
David Roberts
David Roberts
December 15, 2021.
Verified
We’ve used RTEC for many years for tree maintenance and can’t say enough good things about their service. We use them for tree trimming and for regular treatments to maintain our trees’ health and deal with pests and prevent disease. Their arborist Ben has been especially helpful with advice. RTEC also been especially helpful in emergency situations, once coming to cable a massive, heritage oak in our yard right before a hurricane was about to hit. Highly recommend.
Travis Larson
Travis Larson
December 10, 2021.
Verified
RTEC did an excellent job onsite of removing dead branches from our 80+ year old trees, and trimming other growth too close to our home.
Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 185 reviews.

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