Following a storm, you may believe that a tree on your property is beyond saving. Limbs may be broken, and the foliage may be ruined. Although the tree may appear on its last legs, the fact is that trees are resilient and can recover from serious damage.
Let’s take a look at stump removal and how to make a decision about your tree’s future.
Examine the damage
The first thing you should do is take a closer look at the damage to determine the exact nature of the problem. Consider questions such as the following:
- What was the tree’s condition prior to the storm? If it was healthy and strong, then it may be better suited to recovery.
- How much of the crown is still intact? If the tree still has more than half of its branches and leaves, it’s more likely to survive in the long run.
- Which limbs are broken? If more major limbs are broken, this will make it more difficult for the tree to recover. Similarly, the loss of several main branches reduces the tree’s chance of survival.
Make the call
Once you’ve inspected the tree, then it’s time to decide whether it’s salvageable. You have a few options going forward:
- Keep the tree: In cases where the damage seems mostly cosmetic (i.e., no major branches have been severely damaged, and the tree is otherwise thriving), then call in a tree service for support.
- Borderline cases: This is when you’ll want to wait and see how the tree does for a while before you make a final decision. Start by pruning back the broken branches and giving the tree time to recover. Remember to resist the urge to prune too heavily; the tree will need all the foliage it can get to make it through the next growing season. The fact is that younger trees can sustain significant damage and typically bounce back, and a healthy, mature tree can recover even when major limbs are damaged. It’s often a smart idea to call in the experts to help with pruning and branch removal.
- Tree removal: However, there are some instances where trees are not worth saving. This is especially the case if the tree is suffering from disease or has lost more than half of its crown. When a tree can no longer survive, it’s time to say goodbye. In these instances, don’t attempt to do stump removal yourself. You want to bring in a trained and licensed technician who understands the differences of stump removal vs grinding and which would be best for your situation.
The next time you’re looking for stump removal or stump grinding, turn to Rocky Mountain Tree Service. Since 1996, we’ve offered a range of services including tree trimming, tree removal, bush trimming and removal, stump grinding, yard work, storm damage cleanup and more. As an ISA-Certified Arborist with over 20 years of experience, we value providing quality services at an affordable price. Give us a call to learn more and get a free quote!