When you have a broken tree branch, you should take steps to minimize the damage from the wound. Our expert tree services in Trinity, FL, can advise you on how to care for a broken limb in your tree to preserve the plant’s health.
Learn more about tree wound care and safe limb removal after breakage occurs.
Assess the Damage to the Tree
Whether a branch broke and came loose because of storm damage or the tree’s age, the broken branch and the entire tree need an assessment.
Licensed arborists will examine the trunk, canopy, and limbs, looking for the following signs:
- Additional limb cracks
- Percentage of canopy loss
- Presence of partially torn branches
- Wilting leaves near the broken branch
Arborists have the ladders and other equipment needed to safely move into the upper branches for a closer inspection.
Remove and Trim the Broken Tree Branch
If any branches are still hanging in the tree, safe limb removal is important. Part of the wood in the branch might remain connected, causing the branch to hang precariously.
If the limb suddenly lets go, it could break other healthy branches lower in the canopy. It could also put your family and pets in danger.
You should call local experts to trim the area of the broken branch and move the limb toward the ground safely. Creating a clean cut on the broken limb is an important step to reduce the chance of disease or insects invading the wound. A clean cut gives the branch a better chance of healing properly.
Add Braces and Cables To Strengthen Cracked Areas
Depending on the location of the broken tree branch, the professionals might need to install branch-splitting prevention materials. Removing the broken limb could shift the weight balance of the canopy, placing extra stress on the crotch and increasing the chance of a split.
If the storm caused a partial split, arborists might be able to use braces to support the split until it has a chance to heal.
Provide Water and Nutrients to Maintain Health
Depending on the severity of the damage, professionals might recommend giving the tree a fertilizer treatment as adding nutrients can speed up the healing process. You might need to provide the plant with extra water to help it recover faster, too.
Don’t add too many nutrients, though. Growth that occurs too fast could create weak wood throughout the tree. Additional weak spots in the limbs or trunk might increase the chance of additional breakage in the future.
Watch the Tree’s Health Over the Future Months
In the weeks and months after the storm that caused the broken tree branch, you may need to perform some additional tree care maintenance work. You should watch the plant closely for signs of ill health, such as premature yellowing of leaves or new splits near the trunk.
Your arborist could revisit your property every few weeks to manage the tree’s health as it recovers from the broken branch. If the arborist installed braces and cables, they might need to be adjusted over the next several months as the tree grows and regains strength.
After a Storm, Trust Stevens Tree Service for a Tree Health Assessment
A broken tree branch doesn’t have to be dangerous to your tree’s health. At Stevens Tree Service, we are the local experts at handling storm-damaged trees and performing pruning techniques that maintain the plant’s health.
After a storm damage assessment, we’ll determine the best steps to take to preserve the health of the tree. To learn more and receive a free estimate, contact us today at (727) 734-8733.