The Rains Are Here -
Now What?

How to deal with El Nino now that he's arrived! Kathi Kirchmeier
Is El Nino Finally Here?

That would have to be a definite YES! And he's wreaking havoc all over our fair county. Our Fall Newsletter covered some basic guidelines for PREPARING for storms, but what do you do now that the rains have arrived?

If you had a chance to provide some preventative maintenance on your trees, chances are you will breeze through these storms without a problem. If, however, you had some existing hazards that weren't addressed, it's time to take a good look at your trees to see how they're fairing. In addition, here are some other weather related situations to look out for.

The most obvious thing to check for is sitting water around the trunk and roots of your tree. If you aren't providing proper run-off for your tree, and water is pooling around the base, it's an indication that the soil has reached its saturation point. This could cause a number of problems. Combine over-saturated soil with even moderate winds and your tree could become uprooted. At that point, the only thing left to do is clean up the debris. Other conditions related to sitting water are root suffocation, and root rot, as well as providing a prime breeding ground for infestation and disease. If you find water pooling around the trunk of your tree, a French drain should remedy the situation. A French drain is a narrow slit (50-100mm wide), dug through the wet area towards an outlet, a lower area, or more permeable soil. Fill the trench with medium sand or fine gravel to keep it from collapsing or filling. Not only does this rid you of excess water, but it improves aeration, allowing your roots to 'breath'. Also, look for water pooling in the crotch or cavities of your trees. Any standing water in contact with plant tissue can cause decay and disease.

The condition of your tree's root system is a primary concern after heavy rains. If roots have become exposed because of soil erosion, it's quite easy to simply replace and repack with clean topsoil. However, you must differentiate exposed roots from raised roots. If tree roots are exposed with no visible signs that the soil level has decreased, its an indication of raised roots. Raised roots are another sign that your tree is in prime condition to come falling down. If the roots are pulling free of the soil, it means that there is no purchase in the soil (over-saturation), and/or the tree is unbalanced, too heavy and exerting too much pressure on its anchoring system. It may require staking, bracing, or possibly removal. There is no quick easy fix for this situation, and is best addressed by a professional Arborist.

As mentioned in our previous article, you should also inspect for broken, hanging branches, and excessive foliage that could lead to breakage. Check the point of branch attachment for any cracking. This is an area of tremendous stress and usually the point where any limb breakage is most likely to occur. Again, if you notice signs of cracking it usually is not something you can take care of yourself. It usually requires cabling, which involves the attachment of a flexible steel cable between branches to reduce the amount of stress on a crotch or branch. It is, however, something you want to identify and respond to before any further damage can occur.

It is important through the remainder of this storm season to keep an eye on the condition of your trees. By detecting a hazardous condition early, you can possibly avoid an even more costly and dangerous situation later on. Damage to your trees, whether to roots or limbs, requires immediate attention. And remember, it is never too late to take preventative measures. Providing your trees with a proper safety pruning will go a long way in ensuring that they remain upright throughout out El Nino experience.