Tree safety is primary concern when considering replacements

The recent storms and tornadoes have focused the attention of many residents on trees within their home sites. Typically, these large plants are part of the background and receive little to no notice.

However, weather events such as tornadoes, hurricanes and the like can reveal often overlooked safety and maintenance issues. Much of the damage to structures and loss of electrical power can be credited to falling branches and trees.

Many trees will be replaced in home landscapes. This is the time to ensure tree safety is the primary concern that will hopefully prevent the potential for damage and injury in the future.

Several factors must be considered when making a replacement tree selection to produce an aesthetically appealing and safe addition to the homesite.

First choose trees with a single trunk, not bifurcated or with diverging stems emerging from the roots. Making this selection will avoid breakage issues resulting from weak structure at the base of co-dominate leaders.

Next be sure the potted tree has not developed roots which are circling at the edge of the pot. This is a symptom of a tree which has outgrown its container.

Left unchecked, the roots will continue to grow in a spiral pattern. This condition will severely hinder proper root development which will likely cause instability because of inadequate root anchorage as the tree grows.These trees are much more likely to fall during a storm.

It is important not to damage toe soil around the root ball when handling or removing the tree from the container. Also, do not attempt to level the tree by pulling on the trunk when installing.

Judiciously use a shovel or trowel to lift under the root ball if it is necessary to level or straighten the tree.

Lastly, plant the tree with about ten percent of the root ball above the original grade. For homeowner installations this will result in one and a half to two inches of the root ball being exposed.

This promotes better root development into the surrounding soil and allows for settling.

After the tree is planted, water sufficiently to irrigate the soil and settle the soil. Do not compact the soil as this will impede root growth.

Continue to water the tree until it is established on the site. Mulching around the root zone will help regulate the soil moisture and summer temperature.

The mulch should be around four inches thick and cover the root ball and several feet beyond. The mulch should be a few inches away from the trunk.

Keeping the mulch off the trunk minimizes the possibility of disease or insect damage. “Volcano” mulching, where leaves and pine straw are piled up on and around the trunk, is strongly discouraged.

Another benefit of mulch is it suppresses weed growth. A wide mulch zone eliminates the need for a string-trimmer getting close to tender tree trucks where they can do fatal damage.

In most soils the root ball offers enough balance so the tree does not need additional support in the period before the roots secure it the ground. In sandy soils this may not always be the case.

If staking is necessary, use a rubber hose to cover the wire or rope which secures the tree. The hose will prevent injury to the bark and minimize the prospects for disease establishment or insect damage.

The supplemental support should be removed as soon as the tree has root growth enough to establish it firmly in the soil.

Ed Duke, PhD (Associate Professor in the FAMU College of Agriculture and Food Sciences), Sam Hand, FAMU Extension (Associate Professor and Director of Industry Credentialing Training Programs, FAMU Cooperative Extension.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tree safety is primary concern when considering replacements