Last month’s massive ice storm caused major damage across the city, with most Austin residents feeling the effects of the extreme weather. Fallen trees, damaged powerlines, and massive power outages were widespread, with storm debris littering the streets long after the storm subsided.
Thankfully, the recovery process was immediate, with power restored and storm debris cleared from most areas.
Unfortunately, trees throughout Austin took quite the beating from the ice storm. While many trees fell, even more where damaged from the storm. Ice weighing on the branches caused excessive damage, while bark, trunks, and roots were also wounded.
All the damage couldn’t happen at a worse time – right as our trees are entering their growing season!
Thankfully, there are ways that we can help our trees recover from the storm for healthy growth this coming spring. check out some our main tips for improving tree health after the recent winter ice storm:
Urgency: The trees that get treated ASAP have a much better chance to recover than trees that don’t get treated for months on in. All of the trees are stressed right now and the longer a tree is stressed the more difficult it is to get them going the right direction again. Time is very important when trying to save trees.
Deep Root Fertilization
Deep root fertilization is a great way to immediately improve tree health and help them recover from storm damage. The treatment provides nutrients deep into the root system, improving root development and overall tree health.
We use a combination of deep root fertilization with a slow-release nitrogen and root growth stimulant to improve tree health and recovery. These treatments are best applied during spring for maximum results – so the timing couldn’t be better!
However, it’s important to remember that not all deep root fertilization formulas are the same. For example, our fertilizer is formulated for trees in high heat, low water areas to accommodate our local climate.
So, it’s best to hire a local tree care company for deep root fertilization treatments to ensure they understand the unique requirements for trees in your area.
Trunk Injections
Another recommendation for improving tree health after storm damage is trunk injections. While deep root fertilization is a great choice for improving tree health and recovering from storm damage, the treatment does take time.
The roots slowly absorb the nutrients, so the healing benefits of the treatment aren’t always immediate. Given how severely damaged some trees are, faster acting treatments are also a good idea!
Trunk injections offer the fastest path to recovery, provide an immediate boost to tree health. The tree absorbs the nutrients much quicker, allowing for faster recovery from the severe damage caused by the storm.
Combine injections with deep root treatments and you get the best of both words, improving short-term recovery and long-term health.
Growth Regulators
Growth regulators are a suitable treatment for severely damaged trees. Like trunk injections, regulator treatments are fast-acting, making them suitable for trees that need immediate help recovering.
Popular for post-construction stress on trees, growth regulators adjust the rate above ground vegetation develops. Basically, the regulators slow vegetation growth to allow the tree to focus on root development.
As more fine fibrous roots grow underground, the more nutrients and water the tree absorbs over shorter time periods. This allows for quicker recovery, especially if water and nutrients are in limited supply or only available for a limited period.
If your trees in Austin are damaged from winter ice storms, consider calling a professional tree care company to help restore their health in time for spring growth. We offer bespoke treatments based on the unique needs of your trees, including deep root fertilization, trunk injection, and growth regulators.
