For:
By: Daniel E. Mullins
Extension Horticulture Agent
Deciding What to do with Leaning and Partially Uprooted Trees
Many local
residents are now turning their attention to trees that survived the
hurricane. A full range of damage is
seen in at least six
Questions about caring for damaged trees are being received in high volume and at a steady pace. After seven days of operating a chain saw and hauling debris, and then trying to return telephone and e-mail tree questions – I am falling behind.
The majority of storm damaged tree questions deal with three different conditions.
Q. My pine trees snapped during the storm. If I cut away the damaged
portion of the trunk will it re-grow and develop into a normal tree?
Q. Some of my trees are leaning and roots are exposed on one side, while others are also leaning but the soil is heaved upward on one side with no roots exposed. Will they straighten up on their own, or should I do something?
A. If the tree survives and does not fall further, the trunk will remain in the same position. Future top growth will occur vertically. A bulge at the soil surface or exposed roots on the upwind side of a leaning tree reveals that the roots were broken and separated from soil contact creating a void beneath the root system. In most cases soil falls or is washed beneath the roots making it extremely difficult or impractical to return a big tree to its original position.
A large leaning tree is a challenge and a decision must be made in a relatively short period of time. There is danger of it falling and even if it survives, the trunk will remain in that position for the rest of the tree’s life. On the other hand, it might serve as an item of conversation and a reminder of the great storm.
Leaning small trees, up to three inches in trunk diameter, might be successfully set back straight in the ground. This can be done by carefully removing excess soil from beneath the root system until the tree will stand in its original position. Soil must then be added gradually with repeated watering
to fill voids in the soil and remove air pockets.
This is a tedious process, even when straightening relatively small trees. Because so much root damage has occurred, this is similar to starting all over again and transplanting a new tree of that size.
These replanted small trees must be staked for about one year using material that will not cut into the bark or girdle the trunk. Regular supplemental watering will be required for one to two years or until the root system is well established.
Q. I have many small trees that are bent, but there is no soil heaving or exposed roots. What should I do?
A. Stake them to an upright position as soon as possible. Instructions for use in staking trees can be found online at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG077. Scroll this publication and find the section that describes staking and guying procedures.
Note: Tree advice that requires the help of an expert should be directed to an arborist, landscape maintenance professional or your local Extension office. The Florida Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture has prepared a list of certified tree care professionals. On a good search engine, type in www.floridaisa.org. On the menu that appears, click on “Find an Arborist.” You can then type in your postal zip code for a list of local certified arborists. There are approximately thirty such professionals in our area.
The
International Society of Arboriculture also has a very helpful web site. To obtain valuable tree care information from
this organization, search using www.isa-arbor.com/. Once on the home page, click on “Welcome,”
then on press releases.