Monsoon season can quickly escalate from a nuisance to an emergency. Trees that weren’t causing trouble yesterday might be the source of calls today. The old elm’s union might fail in the wind. A cottonwood’s crown may collapse under rain. Runoff may loosen soil near previously sturdy trees. Before the next storm hits, it doesn’t necessarily mean removing every big tree. Sometimes, a targeted service to clear the threat is the best value while leaving the shade and privacy intact.
Storm Risk Checks
Look at the property after a dry day. Inspect the trees that have limbs extending over driveways, houses, fences, sidewalks, and power lines. Check for soil cracks, exposed roots, leaning trunks, and low-hanging limbs that are touching any structures.
It’s important to know the difference between regular shedding and something that is likely to drop. You’re not trying to shape the trees, but rather identify wood that will cost you money when high winds and heavy rain (NOAA spells this out at noaa.gov/jetstream) come together.
Take 30 minutes to walk around your property, and don’t forget the gated areas and corners where issues may not be noticed.
Overhanging Branches
An elm that extends over your driveway may seem like it needs to be removed. But it might not be the best option. If the trunk is sound and the branches are in good condition, the right approach may be trimming some branches to reduce weight and get them off the car.
The work involves thinning out crowded, intersecting, weak, and long-hanging limbs. Crews can also pull deadwood that is hidden in the middle of a thick canopy.
Removing the tree is an option if the trunk is rotting, split, or leaning heavily toward the driveway. Otherwise, removing a healthy tree may lead to higher costs and a sunnier yard; the practical side of tree services albuquerque starts there.
Cottonwoods are fast growers and their long limbs may extend beyond your roofline before you realize how far they’ve gone. The issue isn’t just a limb breaking and falling. Leaves, twigs, and seed material can accumulate on your roof and cause issues with drainage.
Trimming a few branches is the common solution. A trimmer will shorten certain limbs to proper lengths rather than topping the whole tree into a flat shape. This is significant because topping causes weak regrowth.
When a branch overhangs a roof, trimming should include:
- Limbs that brush against shingles or gutters
- Dead branches hanging over your home
- Thickenings that act as sails
- Branches that prevent you from safely accessing your roof
If there are multiple large limbs hanging over your house, how much space is enough before the next storm?
Dead Trees and Debris
A dead juniper next to a wall presents a different issue. Live trees can often be trimmed to prevent problems. However, dead branches don’t recover. They’re likely to break in a storm, and a failing trunk may damage your wall or block a path.
Removing the tree is the cheaper option because there’s no point in trimming it again and again. But the scope is still important. Find out if the price includes cutting the stump down, removing the trunk, and avoiding damage to nearby irrigation or wall sections.
A simple tree removal is easy if there’s plenty of room for workers to maneuver. But it’s more complicated in tight side yards, below power lines, and other hard-to-reach places.
Tree pruning leaves behind branches, needles, and cut logs. Hauling green waste is helpful for those without trailers, trash service, or storage space.
You might prefer to leave wood chips if they’re going to be spread beneath trees or bare soil to prevent mud splash and erosion. However, keeping large logs is undesirable if they’ll end up next to a wall, harbor bugs, or obstruct runoff. Decide ahead of time what you’d like done with the debris, whether it’s chipping, leaving as logs, cutting it for firewood, or any combination of the three.
Don’t combine maintenance tasks with regular pruning. If a branch is near an active wire, don’t climb up, cut it down, or attempt to pull it on your own.
Call the utility company if the power line is part of the issue. A tree service can assist with any nearby branches as long as weather and clearance permit.
You should also flag the location of sprinklers, underground wiring and septic tank lids before your arborist arrives. That way you won’t be surprised by unexpected repair bills and your team knows where it’s okay to park equipment.
Storm Preparation
The cheapest way to prepare for storms is by addressing threats before they appear. Look for obvious hazards, prune when trees are still healthy, and remove trees that are dead, dying, or otherwise dangerous.
List the branches hanging over your car, house, fence, or runoff paths before calling for a consultation.
