After the second major ice storm in a year, there are many damaged trees on the landscape. Some of them may be safety hazards, some are impeding laneways and farm equipment, and others are simply an eyesore.
If you are wondering how to address the ice-damaged trees and woody debris on your property, there are a number of factors to consider.
First, can the tree be repaired or should it be removed? If a tree has extensive damage (e.g. the top or one side of the tree has broken off) it may not be worth keeping. It can be very expensive to have an arborist repair a tree properly. Nobody likes cutting down a useful, mature tree, but in some situations it is better to take it down and replace it with a more suitable species. If the damage is not extensive, you must decide if you are capable of doing the necessary repairs or if an arborist should be called.
Small limbs can be removed easily with pruning shears or a pole-lopper.
Power equipment should never be used from a ladder or in a tree where firm footing is not available. Removing large or hanging limbs should be left to a professional.
Broken branches should be removed. Do not leave a large stub, as this can promote rot and decay. You also do not want to make the cut too close to the stem. This will result in a large wound which is also an entry point for decay.
Corrective pruning to improve the shape of damaged trees is best done now, in winter. They will respond quickly when they start growing again in spring.
Be careful not to remove more than one third of a tree’s branches. This could seriously diminish the tree’s ability to recover.
If a tree is being removed, always consider replacing it. Trees add a lot of value to the area landscape, and it would be a shame to lose trees and their benefits to an ice storm without replacing them.
For more specific pruning guidelines, visit http://www.grandriver.ca/forestry/PruningTreesAndShrubs.pdf
Mark Funk is a forestry specialist with Trees for Mapleton and the Grand River Conservation Authority. He can be reached at 519-621-2761 or mfunk@grandriver.ca
