As we transition from autumn into winter, weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, often bringing sudden and severe storms. While we cannot control the weather, we can mitigate the damage it causes, especially to trees, through proper preparation.
Unhealthy or unstable trees are more vulnerable to high winds and heavy rains, posing a serious risk to both property and personal safety. Proactive tree health inspections before storm season arrives can make all the difference in protecting your commercial and residential property and the safety of those within and around it.
Identifying risk
One of the most effective ways to minimise storm-related tree damage is by identifying risks early on. Trees that show signs of instability, such as cracks in the trunk, large dead branches, or compromised root systems, are more likely to suffer during a storm. For example, a tree with poor root health may struggle to stay anchored in strong winds, while dead or weakened branches can easily snap and fall.
Case studies have shown that many instances of storm damage could have been prevented with a simple tree health check before the storm season. A proactive approach could save you from the costly damages that result from fallen branches or uprooted trees on your property.
Understanding risk
Should a poorly maintained tree on your premises causes injury or death, you may face significant legal repercussions, including financial penalties and reputational damage, not to mention the emotional toll of knowing the incident could have been prevented.
For example, Newcastle City Council was fined £280,000 in 2023 after failing to address an unhealthy tree that tragically caused a fatal accident in a school playground. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed that regular inspections could have prevented the accident, underscoring the importance of tree health assessments.
The inspection process
When you schedule a tree inspection you should be looking to employ the services of a tree surgeon who holds the Lantra Professional Tree Inspection (PTI) award. This is an advanced award that conveys a high level of mastery in arboriculture.
Our Lantra PTI tree surgeon leads every inspection, ensuring a high level of competence. This means our clients can trust they are receiving the most thorough and reliable assessment possible from a highly trained expert, who can identify even the most subtle signs of decay or instability.
During an inspection, trees’ structure, root health, and the condition of their canopies are all carefully assessed. The findings from this thorough evaluation form the basis of recommendations for actions that can be taken immediately to make your trees more resilient against storms.
Common issues
Tree health inspections often uncover a range of issues, from root rot and decay to pest infestations and structural imbalances. Fortunately, at Tree & Lawn Company, we offer solutions to mitigate these risks.
Whether it concerns treating pest infestations, improving soil health, or addressing structural weaknesses, our team is qualified, experienced and fully equipped to protect any species of tree and, by extension, all people and all properties.
Ongoing maintenance
In addition to regular inspections, maintaining tree health as storm season approaches requires a dual approach. Ongoing maintenance, guided by the findings from inspections, ensures that trees are fortified against harsh weather conditions.
This includes mulching, watering, and fertilising to promote strength, while proactive pruning removes weak or dead branches before they become hazards.
A wise investment
Emergency tree removal or post-storm repairs often come with high costs due to the urgency and unsociable hours required.
In contrast, investing in proactive care not only protects your property but also helps you avoid these costly repairs and call-out fees, making tree health inspections and maintenance a smart financial choice.
Emergency response planning
Even with the best maintenance and preparation, storms can still cause unexpected damage. This is why we strongly advise all of our clients, especially commercial ones, to have an emergency response plan in place, as time lost due to storm damage can directly impact revenue.
As part of this plan, it is crucial to have the contact details of a reputable emergency response team readily available. Our tree surgery emergency call-out team provides prompt, reliable, and professional post-storm services to clients ranging from utility companies and estate managers to government-owned organisations and agricultural specialists. We are available around the clock, seven days a week.
A swift response can mean the difference between minimal disruption and prolonged downtime for your business. With our 24/7 emergency response team, we ensure that fallen trees or storm-related hazards are addressed immediately, allowing your operations to continue smoothly.
Knowing you have a trusted emergency response team on standby offers peace of mind, allowing you to focus on your business, even during unpredictable weather events.
Emergency response case study
On 9 February 2020, Storm Ciara battered the UK and Ireland with heavy rain and fierce winds of up to 80mph, resulting in extensive damage and disruption.
Our emergency response team attended many tree surgery call outs, one of which was for Highways England.
Multiple trees – a large Oak and several smaller Oak and Ash trees – had fallen onto a fibre optic cable that ran along a section of a narrow residential road in Essex.
The team’s first task upon arrival was to evaluate the site for danger and assess the damage caused.
With access very restricted, it was obvious that it would be a challenging job, so they closed the road to ensure the area could be secured from a health and safety perspective.
The trees were then carefully dismantled using a cherry picker and rigging.
Thanks to our team’s expertise and swift response, the site was cleared without further disruption to local residents, or any additional damage being caused to the fibre optic infrastructure, enabling normal operations to be promptly restored.
Weathering the storms
In conclusion, a proactive approach to tree care is undoubtedly the best way to protect your property during the stormy season. By scheduling regular tree health inspections at key times of year with a business like ours, you can rest easy knowing your landscape is ready for whatever autumn and winter storms might bring.
However, as we all know, mother nature has a way of upsetting even the best made plans, so it is advisable to have the contact details of a team of tree surgeons to hand should you need help as a matter of urgency due to storm damage.
Don’t wait until the next storm warning – act now to protect your property and those within and around it. Schedule regular tree health inspections to ensure your landscape is prepared for whatever the autumn and winter storms bring.
Contact us today on 01206 243 484 or email info@treeandlawn.co.uk.