Tree First Aid - Steps to Take

How to Address Storm Damage in the Winter a Milford NH Resident Asks

In New England it isn’t unusual for our trees to take a beating during the winter months. Many homeowners simply hold their breath, hoping that a tree damaged during a storm or from the ice and snow will bounce back in the spring. As a Milford, NH homeowner learned after the last storm there are some steps you can take at the time to give the damaged tree a better chance of recovering.

Damage to a Tree Doesn’t Have to Mean Removal

A damaged tree may at a glance look like a lost cause, with no choice but to remove the tree. However, in many cases the tree can bounce back with a little TLC. After assessing the situation and making sure that it is safe, with no large hanging branches or nearby electrical lines, you should remove any broken branches that are still attached to the tree. This will reduce the risk of decay, and give the wound a chance to heal cleanly.

If there are larger branches that are broken, these should be trimmed by a professional to ensure that the cuts are clean and in the right location. After trimming these damaged small and large branches, the tree may initially look unbalanced or bare, but when done right it will quickly heal and fill out in the springtime.

The Milford homeowner followed our advice and his damaged tree is well on its way to making a full recovery in the spring.