How To Assess White Oak Tree Damage After A Storm?

Storms don’t only damage properties, but also trees, and if that goes unnoticed, then things can take an even more drastic turn. Damaged trees including white oaks can fall and cause injuries and property damage. This is why tree felling and tree removal services are important. So, it’s high time you figure out how to look for damage in your white oak tree post-storm.

Look For Decays

First things first, you want to look for decays in trees. You might be wondering: What do decays in trees look like? Well, they look just like how they sound. You can see traces of decay on the tree trunk, the bark of the tree, and even on the branches.

This is common to occur and decay can lead to the tree’s death. This is visible by black and dying spots and slashes on the tree and you can see that the tree loses its health once it starts to decay. Storms can damage the tree externally but the damage can penetrate deep and it can cut off nutrient supply and lead to decay in the long run.

Tree Wounds

Another very common sign by which you can assess damage on white oak trees after a storm is by looking out for tree wounds. Tree wounds can occur due to several reasons. They can occur due to birds like woodpeckers poking holes in the trunk of the tree, but storms can also cause damage of immense kinds and they can lead to serious wounds in trees.

Although the wounds might not be visible in the beginning, you want to look for unusual divots in the tree. These are early signs of a wound and you want to take action right then and there to prevent further deepening of the wound.

The Damage Is Obvious

Storms can inflict some of the most serious damages on trees and sometimes you don’t need signs to look for them. They’re in front of you. Those can include deep gashes on the tree, fallen trees, trees that have lost a lot of branches and leaves and are not growing back, the list goes on.

So, you want to look at the tree as a whole and you will be able to narrow down the damage. As obvious as the damage is, it can be just as serious too, and sometimes, the tree might be at a point of no return.

Health Will Tell

Has a storm recently passed and you’ve noticed that the tree isn’t lively anymore? Like, the branches are falling off, and the leaves are turning brown, which also happens in diseases like oak wilt.

Something is very wrong with the tree in that case. Sometimes, the damage can be invisible or may have gone unnoticed, but the effects are not so much. This is very problematic and if you want to do something right away, otherwise your tree might be near to death.

Look At The Trunk

The trunk can also show major signs of damage and not all of it is pretty. The trunk can show signs of discoloration. The topmost layer of the trunk can peel off too. The trunk can also be weak and very brittle and the slightest force can cause it to fall or crumble.

Well, those are all signs of damage that the tree is very damaged and if a storm has just passed, then you know exactly what has caused it. So, you need to see more than just how the tree looks. That’s how you know how damaged the tree is.

Splitting Damage

The tree trunk can also split. Whether it’s just rain or rain with thunderstorms, the trunk of the tree can get split because of the impact of the thunder or if something else falls on top of the tree by the howling wind.

A split trunk is bad because the protective layer of the tree has been ruined and now everything vulnerable is exposed to external agents. It is only a matter of time before the tree’s health deteriorates to the point of no return and you won’t be able to save it then. Therefore, call in tree services Potomac.

Is The Tree Leaning?

If your white oak tree is leaning off to one side too much then that is also an alarming sign. Too much rain can soften the ground underneath and it can cause the roots to loosen. Things can take an even detrimental turn if the roots are damaged in the process. The tree won’t be able to hold its own and it will lean heavily on one side.

A leaning tree in your backyard or near your house is bad because you never know when the tree can fall and everything is just so unexpected. So, before anything bad happens, consult an expert.

What To Do If Your White Oak Tree Is Storm-Damaged?

Now that you know the signs that your tree has been badly damaged by a storm or because of its effects, here are some of the things you can do to ensure your and everyone else’s safety.

Call A Professional

If the damage is out of your control, then you want to call in someone who knows how to deal with tree damage and how to ensure safety. This is why tree damage and restoration professionals are always handy to have on speed dial because you can only restore the tree so much. After some time, you want to hand over the task to the big guys.

They will be able to handle everything and no accidents will happen, therefore you can ensure everyone and your safety.

Clear The Surroundings

If you know that the tree is holding onto its last threads and you want to avoid more damage, then you need to clear the surrounding underneath the tree. So, if there are any cars, any things of value directly under the tree that can be safely removed and relocated elsewhere then you shouldn’t waste any time in doing just that.

This will save you from a lot of regret in the long run. A tree doesn’t just fall instantly, so you still have a lot of time to clear the area, so that no one is hurt and nothing is damaged, beyond the tree.

Consider Tree Removal

A damaged white oak tree is sadly a waste of space, especially if the tree’s health is declining. So, in that case, the best thing to do is to just remove the tree once and for all.

Damaged trees can be a great deal of threat to anything and anyone in the tree’s vicinity so you want to ensure that the tree is removed so that the space can be cleared and then you can plant new ones. This is going to save you from a lot of problems and money, so tree removal is more than necessary.

Conclusion

White oak trees may look like they will be damage-free after a storm but that is far from the truth. Well, now you know exactly how to look for damage and tackle the problem. For severely damaged trees, the best option is removal. Look for emergency tree storm services Kensington for safe tree removal.

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