Late Winter Notes on Tree Care

This is a portion of an article written in February ‘05 for the Hull Massachusetts Garden Club by Julie McIntosh Shapiro. It is printed here with the author’s permission. It is a long article, so it will be presented in several segments.

While you’re looking out your windows, now might be a great time to examine the trees on your property and those close by, to see if any have suffered damage from the latest winter storm. Mario Vaden, an Oregon state arborist checks in with us with his list of things to look for in a dangerous or hazardous tree:

6. CRACKED TRUNKS.

Cracks in bark can be totally natural and normal. Usually, cracks in the wood are not a good sign. If your tree's trunk - the wood - is cracked, call for an inspection as soon as you can.

7. BROKEN OR HANGING BRANCHES.

These are branches that have broken and 'healed' poorly, or, have broken and are dangling by a 'thread' so to speak. They may be alive or dead. Professional 'circles' may refer to these as 'hangers' at times.

8. DEADWOOD.

These are branches that are attached in a proper position, or improper, but will eventually come loose and fall. They should be removed before they fall. Even a 1" diameter limb can cause serious skull injury if it falls - especially if its water-soaked. These can fall any season. In the spring, a dead wet limb can dry and shrink in its socket, allowing it to fall. In summer, wind or small animals can dislodge limbs. In fall, the weight of water from rain can bring limbs down as the moisture soaks into the dry wood. In the winter, snow, rain, wind and ice can all dislodge dead limbs. To tell a dead branch from a living one when the sun is shining, feel the branch. If it’s cold, in the warmth of the sun, sap is flowing through it; if it is warm to the touch it is dead and should be pruned.

Late Winter Notes on Tree Care - Part 3

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