How Tree Trimming Can Prevent Storm Damage in New Brighton

Storm Damage Risks Involving Trees in New Brighton

Severe weather events, such as high winds, heavy snow loads, ice accumulation, and severe thunderstorms, can quickly turn healthy trees into hazardous situations if they do not receive regular, preventative tree maintenance. Removing weak and hazardous branches from trees prior to a severe storm event will help to prevent damage to personal and public property.

The mature urban forest within New Brighton provides great aesthetic appeal and environmental benefits; however, it requires continued maintenance to minimize the potential for damage during severe weather events. Many of the trees that were planted decades ago have reached large sizes, and without the proper preventative care, could potentially cause harm to homes, power lines, and the general public during severe weather events.

How Preventive Tree Trimming Helps Reduce Storm Risk

Removal of Hazardous Branches (Dead, Dying, Diseased)

Hazardous branches—dead, dying, or diseased—are usually the first casualty of any type of storm. When subjected to either wind stress or weight loads, these weakened branches will typically fail, causing them to become projectiles that could potentially damage property and/or harm individuals. Regular tree maintenance identifies and removes these hazardous branches before they can become an issue.

In New Brighton, where the Emerald Ash Borer has had a significant impact on the area’s ash tree population, professional tree trimming can aid in monitoring the progression of the disease, remove hazardous branches, and reduce the potential for increased storm-related damage to both the remaining healthy tree structure and the surrounding property.

Tree Structural Improvement and Balancing

By removing those branches that cause structural weaknesses and unbalance within a tree, professional tree trimming improves the overall structural integrity of the tree. The structural weaknesses that lead to failures during storms include co-dominant stems, crossing branches, and poorly angled branches.

Trees located in the historic neighborhood adjacent to the New Brighton History Center and in the many other established residential areas of New Brighton often develop structural weakness as a result of years of growth. The strategic removal of branches by a certified arborist will correct the structural weaknesses while preserving the natural form and health of the tree.

Techniques Used for Preventing Storm Damage

Thinning the Canopy to Improve Wind Resistance

Thinning the canopy of a tree involves selectively removing branches throughout the tree canopy to decrease wind resistance while maintaining the natural shape of the tree. This method of thinning allows wind to pass through the crown of the tree instead of creating a sail-like effect that could potentially uproot or break the tree during a severe storm.

When done correctly, crown thinning will allow for an adequate amount of foliage to remain on the tree while removing branches that create too much wind resistance, thus decreasing the potential for storm-related damage to the tree and its surroundings.

Reducing End Weight

Extended branches that are long and weigh heavily at the end create leverage points that greatly increase the likelihood of failure during a storm. By reducing the length of these extended branches while still allowing for the natural growth of the tree, professional tree trimming reduces end weight.

End weight reduction is especially beneficial for mature oaks and maples, as these types of trees commonly grow long, heavy branches that create significant storm-related risks when not properly trimmed.

Increasing Clearance with Crown Raising

Removing lower branches increases clearance space around structures, vehicles, and pedestrians, while decreasing the total wind profile of the tree. Crown raising also removes branches that could potentially come into contact with buildings during storm events.

Clearance of trees in densely populated areas of New Brighton is essential in preventing storm-related damage to homes, automobiles, and community infrastructure, while still preserving the trees’ aesthetic appeal and protective functions.

Timing for Seasonal Tree Maintenance to Prevent Storm Damage

Pruning During Dormancy

The best time to prune trees structurally and for storm damage prevention is during late winter and early spring, before the leaves emerge on the tree. At this time, the tree is dormant, resulting in less stress from pruning cuts while allowing the arborist to see clearly into the tree to assess and trim the structural elements of the tree.

Additionally, pruning during the dormant season does not attract insects and diseases that thrive in the warmer months. Oak trees specifically should never be pruned from April to October,r as it puts the tree at risk for contracting oak wilt disease.

Preparing for Severe Weather Seasons

Pruning trees in the spring before the severe weather season allows the tree to compartmentalize the pruning cuts and begin the healing process before being exposed to the potential dangers of summer and fall storms.

Having a regular relationship with a professional tree service provider allows for priority scheduling during an emergency situation, while continuing to maintain the tree and property throughout the year.

Tree Species-Specific Storm Damage Prevention

Oak Tree Management

Oak trees, found throughout New Brighton, need special consideration to prevent storm-related damage and the spread of oak wilt disease. These large, heavy-branched trees require selective thinning and end weight reduction to reduce the potential for storm-related damage.

Professional oak trimming follows the recommended timing and techniques to maintain the health of the tree while minimizing the potential for storm-related damage to the tree and surrounding property.

Maple Tree Considerations

Maples often develop co-dominant stems and weak branch unions that increase the potential for storm-related failures. Professional trimming can address these structural deficiencies by selectively removing branches and making reduction cuts to improve the overall stability of the tree.

Silver maple trees, which are commonly found in older residential neighborhoods, present unique considerations due to their brittle nature and rapid growth rate, increasing the potential for storm-related damage.

Benefits to Property Owners

Preventive tree trimming offers numerous property protection benefits beyond just preventing storm-related damage. Healthy and well-manicured trees will enhance property values, reduce insurance premiums, and create safer environments for children to play outside in New Brighton.

Preventive trimming maintains the proper clearance distance between trees and structures, prevents branches from coming into contact with roofs and siding, and removes overhanging branches that may fall and cause injury or property damage during normal weather events.

Protection of Infrastructure

Preventive tree trimming protects both private property and public infrastructure, including electrical power lines, roads, and sidewalks. Properly maintained clearances prevent outages and reduce the cost associated with municipal storm cleanup.

Throughout New Brighton’s residential areas and in areas near Long Lake Regional Park, properly maintaining clearances supports both individual property protection and community-wide infrastructure dependability.

Long-Term Tree Health and Resilience

Preventive trimming promotes long-term tree health and resilience by promoting strong trees that can better withstand the rigors of future storm events. Proper pruning stimulates desirable growth patterns and enhances the tree’s ability to compartmentalize wounds and resist disease.

Well-managed, healthy, and resilient trees offer multiple decades of benefits to property owners while reducing the potential for storm-related damage. A long-term approach to managing the urban forest in New Brighton will support the city’s urban forest goals, while protecting individual properties and community infrastructure.

Assessment and Planning by Professionals

Effective storm-related damage prevention relies on a professional assessment of each site and its site-specific environment. A certified arborist will evaluate the potential risk factors and develop a pruning plan based on the tree species, its current condition, and location.

We perform complete tree assessments throughout New Brighton and develop personalized maintenance programs that address the tree owner’s specific concerns, while providing long-term protection for the tree and the surrounding property.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Although preventative trimming significantly reduces the risk of storm-related damage, emergency preparedness is still an essential element for property owners in New Brighton. Professional tree service companies are available to respond to emergencies caused by severe storms, overwhelming the benefits of preventive trimming.

Having a routine relationship with a professional tree service company ensures priority service during emergencies, while continuing to provide regular preventive trimming to protect against storm-related damage throughout the year.

Searching for tree trimming near me connects you with proactive experts who understand how to prevent storm-related damage while preserving the beauty of New Brighton’s urban forest. Trust experienced professionals who comprehend local tree species, local weather patterns, and community requirements to protect your property and increase the long-term value and safety of your landscape.