For Release May 2, 2004

Dealing With Wind Damaged Trees

AGRI-VIEWS
by Chuck Otte, Geary County Extension Agent

The Great Plains are known for wind and the past couple weeks in Kansas have lived up to that grand history! Trees in Kansas have always had to deal with the wind. They often grow in a permanent bent position, from the south to the north, because of the prevailing winds. Prior to the European settlers coming to Kansas, trees grew, the wind blew and if a limb broke or a tree blew over, it was simply a fact of nature.

But today we have a different situation. We have more trees. We have houses and streets and cars in proximity to those trees. We plant tree species that are not native to Kansas and are often not designed to withstand the winds that we regularly deal with here. Selection of tree species as well as proper care of that tree through all stages of its life will help it withstand the rigors of the Kansas wind and protect your property.

Any tree can and will suffer wind damage. Some species are naturally weak, others grow in such a manner that they have poor limb attachment. All trees age and are affected by insect or disease problems and the wood rots and weakens. Trees that grow very fast are by their very nature fairly weak. They become more susceptible to wind and ice damage and simply are not long lived. Or we allow improper pruning to occur, namely topping, with the result being limbs that are even more poorly attached then previously and damage will occur.

Tree selection is the best place to start. Avoid the tendency to plant something fast growing for quick shade. IF you feel the need to do this, accept the fact that you will have problems and the tree needs to be removed in 15 to 20 years and also plant something to provide long term shade. Silver maple, and any poplar are fast growing weak trees. Avoid these! Hackberry, some elms and most ashes are medium growing trees with better longevity. Many of these have a good useful life of around 40 to 60 years. Hackberries start to go to pieces after about 40 years, quicker if they are abused, so again, start planning for replacements. Oaks are the classic strong tree and many of them grow much faster than you may think.

One of the biggest problems that trees have are branches with narrow angles of attachment. The strongest tree limbs are attached at a 45 to 90 degree angle. Narrow angled crotches are very easy to split out and account for much of the damage in species such as older Bradford pears. One way to prevent this problem is to take corrective pruning action on smaller trees, often in the first ten years after planting. Thin out small limbs that are trying to occupy the same space so that a single strong limb can develop instead of numerous weak ones.

Once wind damage occurs, we need to carefully remove all broken limbs back to the next larger branch. Sometimes we have torn bark from breaking limbs. There is no way to fix torn bark. You just have to allow the tree to fix itself. I do not recommend using any kind of pruning sealer. Most of these are tar based and we have found that these products often slow the normal healing process. If you feel the need to do anything, paint the exposed wood with a neutral color exterior latex paint. It is often advisable to have a professional who is a trained arborist come and work on the tree.

The winds will blow and trees will be damaged. All we can do is try to create a situation where preferred trees are planted and properly cared for so that any potential damage is minimized! Stop by the Extension Office, 119 East 9th, to pick up our bulletin on pruning trees.

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