Cutting Your Losses: How To Repair Storm Damage To Trees

Let The Tree Experts Explain And Show Proper Tree-Care Techniques

LISLE, IL (August 24, 2007) – The family, the house, and the car are safe. But the trees took a beating from vicious thunderstorms that rolled through Chicagoland, and debris is strewn about. To protect your storm-damaged trees from any possible long lasting effects, follow The Morton Arboretum guidelines for proper pruning.

When high winds rip large limbs off a tree, “it is far better to have a clean cut than leave a jagged edge,” says Plant Information Specialist Doris Taylor of the Arboretum Plant Clinic, which diagnoses tree and other plant problems and recommends solutions.

Damaged trees attempt to isolate their “wounded” areas, growing a “wall” of cells to block any possible tree rot from infiltrating the trunk. However, when a “wound” is jagged, the “wall” could be compromised, leaving the tree vulnerable to diseases or pests, Taylor says.

To cure the problem, the Arboretum recommends a three-step pruning technique. In Step One: cut to remove most of the damaged branch, to reduce the weight pulling on the trunk. In Step Two: make a cut beneath the remaining damaged branch, approximately one-third of the way up through the branch. Make this cut between the edge and the “branch collar,” a swollen area where the branch arises from the trunk.  In Step Three: make a final cut entirely through the branch, just beyond the branch collar.

Never cut flush with the trunk, which would cause a very large wound and make it difficult for the tree to heal. In contrast, trees that receive a clean cut develop a hard edge, like a callous, which is a sign that the tree has healed.

Hanging branches are hazards to people or property, and should be pruned as soon as practical.

Taylor emphasizes that some jobs are dangerous for average homeowners, who never should climb a ladder to prune a tree, and especially not with a chain saw. Similarly, if a tree is blown over or the trunk is so severely damaged that the tree may fall, safety is a primary concern. Homeowners should call a certified arborist to handle these cases. Such arborists can often save young or small trees – up to about 15 feet tall – that are partially blown over.

When a tree is destroyed and a homeowner wishes to plant a new tree in the same spot, Taylor advises that you have an arborist remove the old stump. In choosing a replacement tree, select a species that is suitable for our area and would help diversify the landscape. Consult The Morton Arboretum Plant Clinic for free assistance, at 630/719-2424 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  A diverse landscape helps promote a healthy ecosystem and guards against extensive landscape damage when exotic diseases or pests strike.

Lightening sometimes kills a tree outright, and other times causes no damage. It sometimes takes a year or two for death to occur. After lightning strikes, prune the tree for safety otherwise wait until the following growing season to assess damage.  Keep tree well watered and fertilized, according to Taylor.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,057 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission – the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier, Central Time. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT) and 9:30 to 4 p.m. (CST). Visit www.mortonarb.org or call 630-968-0074 to learn more.

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