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Coping with Storm-damaged Trees
B. Rosie Lerner,
Extension Consumer Horticulturist, Purdue University
 Homeowners
assessing tree damage caused by recent storms will want to make
a few important decisions soon. Small trees with minor damage can
probably be taken care of by the homeowner, but large, mature trees
likely will need the help of a professional tree service.
It can be hard to decide
whether trees with severe damage should be completely removed. Homeowners
often are reluctant to cut down a tree, either because of sentimental
attachment or because the tree provides shade or screening that
won't quickly be replaced.
But the first priority
should be safety. Assess whether the tree itself or some of its
branches are in danger of falling now or in the near future. If
the tree is not an immediate danger, you may be able to plant a
new tree nearby and wait for it to grow a bit before removing the
old tree.
Full
Story,
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/stormtrees.html
Stormy Weather
Affects Landscapes and Gardens
B. Rosie Lerner, Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist
Many gardeners will continue
to see the effects of recent storm activity for many weeks to come.
The immediate effects include breakage of tree and shrub limbs and
other plants. Branches that were damaged but not broken off completely
may continue to dry out and die back over time. It's best to prune
out affected branches by cutting back to a side bud or branch.
Also related to recent
storms is the drying effect of high winds on foliage. Leaves of
flowers, shrubs, trees, and other garden plants will appear burned,
particularly around the edges of the leaf. The symptoms are very
similar to leaf scorch caused by extended drought and heat. In all
of these cases, the leaves are losing water faster then they can
take it up. Plants should be able to outgrow this type of damage,
especially since we're drawing near the end of the growing season
anyway.
Full
Story, http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/stormgardens.html
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