The end of the year is a time when many homeowners start thinking about gifts for their loved ones. However, it's also an important time to give your yard some love by having your trees professionally inspected before the winter months arrive. Conducting thorough tree inspections in late fall or early winter can reveal issues that could become serious safety hazards once cold temperatures, snow, and ice set in. Putting in the effort for this yard care now will give you and your family the gift of safety and peace of mind all season long.
Why Tree Hazards Increase in Winter
There are a few key reasons why cold weather months present increased dangers when it comes to compromised trees. First, winter storms with high winds, heavy snow, and accumulated ice can place intense pressures on trees and branches. Limbs already affected by disease, damage, or decay are much more likely to crack or come crashing down under these stresses. In fact, according to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, an inch of ice buildup can add a whopping 500 pounds of extra weight to a tree. Combine this with winds of just 30 miles per hour, and even healthy, sturdy trees can face immense loads.
Second, it's more difficult to spot structural weaknesses in trees when leaves have fallen. Issues like cracks, fungus, decay, and insect damage can hide among bare branches. Conducting thorough inspections while flaws are still visible makes it easier for professionals to identify and address potential hazards. Once disguised by winter, these threats essentially become ticking time bombs in your yard.
Finally, snow-covered or icy ground provides less stability for anchoring tree roots. The shallow root systems of evergreen conifers can be especially vulnerable when soil freezes or excessive moisture seeps away. With less stability below ground and added weight above, trees are more prone to toppling over completely during winter weather episodes.
Prevent Damage and Injury with Proper Tree Inspections
Put simply, winter magnifies defects and multiplies the forces placed on struggling trees, turning them into serious safety risks. But with comprehensive professional inspections and proper tree care before the seasons change, homeowners can identify and resolve these issues before they escalate.
Neglecting necessary tree work ahead of winter leaves you playing a risky waiting game. Branches that snap and trees that topple can obviously cause alarming property damage, especially if they strike buildings, vehicles, or infrastructure. More critically, they can lead to devastating injury or even loss of life for people in their path.
Preventative tree inspections allow you to locate potential hazards like:
- Dead or dying branches
- Trunk cavities and internal decay
- Cracks or splits from previous storms
- Pest infestations and infections
- Improperly formed branches and weak branch unions
- Root damage that undermines stability
With an expert eye, an arborist can scrutinize your trees, diagnose any areas of concern, and prescribe appropriate treatment plans. This may involve:
- Strategic branch removal through crown cleaning or reduction pruning
- Cabling and bracing for added structural support
- Pest control methods and fungicide applications
- Nutrient or soil amendments to encourage vigorous growth
- Removal and replacement of hopelessly damaged trees
Scheduling this professional preventative care before winter provides security and peace of mind when weather inevitably takes a turn for the worse. It also ensures recommended treatments can be carried out safely and effectively before conditions get too cold, snowy, or icy.
Additional Benefits of a Winter Tree Inspection
While safety and damage prevention are the prime motivators for making these end-of-year investments in your trees' health, the benefits don't stop there. Thorough winter inspections also:
- Allow early detection of new pest infestations or infections before they escalate next spring.
- Provide opportunities for pruning and removal work when trees are dormant, minimizing stress.
- Give professionals full visibility to assess defects hidden by lush summer foliage.
- Help set priorities for tree care budgets in the coming year.
- Ensure reliable professionals have room in their winter schedules for completing necessary work.
- Prevent avoidable tree loss and expensive replacements down the road.
Simply put, dedicating attention to your trees via tree inspections before the winter rush hits is one of the most prudent moves a homeowner can make. Minor preventative care today saves you from massive headaches, heartaches, and expenses tomorrow. It also reduces wintertime risks that no one wants looming over their household.
Final Considerations for Safety and Savings
As the holiday hustle and bustle ramps up, be sure to pencil in tree inspections among your end-of-year preparations. Having a qualified arborist assess tree health around your home provides benefits extending through every season. They can identify and resolve pressing hazards that could otherwise lead to winter weather disaster. It also allows you to budget wisely for recommended tree work while professionals still have flexibility in their off-season schedules.
The small price paid for preventative care is insignificant next to the value of security from harm throughout the winter months. It also beats paying exponentially more down the road for emergency tree services or repairs from preventable destruction. Consider thorough professional inspections an affordable, reliable gift of safety to your loved ones and home this holiday season. Schedule your winter tree assessment today and you’ll rest easy no matter what next year’s weather brings.
Tree Work Now has certified arborists on staff to inspect your trees and provide sound treatment plans to keep your property safe through winter and beyond. Reach out today to learn more about your end-of- year tree care options. Our team makes it easy to knock preventative yard work off your checklist so you can focus on what matters most - enjoying the holidays with family.
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