Storm Austen: Prepare Your Trees for Strong Winds
Storm Austen is forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of the UK, with a yellow wind warning issued for parts of southern England and south Wales. The Met Office warns that gusts could reach 50 to 60mph across parts of the warning area, with stronger gusts possible in exposed coastal locations.
Strong winds can increase the risk of falling branches and damage to trees that already have defects. If you have trees close to your home, driveway, garden or other buildings, it is worth considering their condition before severe weather arrives. Check the latest Met Office weather warnings for updates.
Book Yours Today
Although summer isn’t over yet, when it comes to your trees, it never hurts to plan ahead. We provide tree surveys all year round, but in our opinion, late summer is by far the best time to have one carried out. Here is why you should give our Essex tree surgeons a call and get your survey booked in before autumn arrives!
What Does a Tree Survey Involve?
A tree survey helps establish the condition of a tree and identify any visible defects or concerns that may require further investigation or action.
During a survey, we consider factors such as the tree’s species, location, approximate age, size, physical condition, canopy and root area. We also look for signs of deadwood, damaged branches, fungal growth, ivy and other features that may be relevant to its condition.
The assessment helps us understand the tree’s current state and whether any maintenance or further investigation should be recommended.
Following the assessment, we explain our findings and discuss the appropriate next steps. Depending on the condition and location of the tree, recommendations may include monitoring, pruning, removing deadwood, further assessment or removal where justified.
It is important to remember that a tree survey cannot guarantee that a tree will withstand every storm. Trees can develop faults or sustain damage after an assessment, particularly during extreme weather.
Our Tree Surveys
Just like with anything else, preventing tree issues caused by bad weather is much better than having to respond to them after they have happened. When we carry out a survey of your tree, we’ll take a really close look at it. We’ll note its species, location, age and life expectancy, physical condition, size, leaf colour, canopy condition and root condition, as well as the presence of any ivy or fungus. That’s a pretty comprehensive overview!
Once we have all the information we need, we will score your tree Good, Fair or Poor. Good means that you can be confident in your tree over the autumn and winter, while Fair could see us carry out some works to protect it. If your tree is scored Poor, then we will discuss options such as removal with you.
Why Carry Out Work Before Autumn?
If your tree survey uncovers something that needs to be addressed by our team, it is much better to have that work carried out now. It’s a lot easier for our tree surgeons to work during this part of the year as the ground conditions are much more stable. This is because the heavy autumn rain won’t have softened the soil. There’s also a much lower chance of work having to be delayed due to poor weather conditions, meaning we can get everything sorted for you much faster.
The Dangers of Putting Tree Maintenance Off
Trees are everywhere. It’s because of this that we tend to overestimate how much they can withstand. It’s really easy to put off tree work for a few months, and then by the time autumn gets here, you’ll probably just vow to get around to it in the new year. By doing this, though, you could be putting yourself and your property at risk.
Deadwood, damaged limbs, decay and structural defects can all warrant closer inspection, particularly when trees are close to buildings, roads, footpaths or areas used by people.
Strong winds can cause branches to fall or expose existing weaknesses. Heavy rain can also leave the ground saturated, potentially affecting trees with compromised root systems or unstable ground conditions.
Not every tree with a visible defect will fail, and not every tree requires pruning or removal. The important thing is to understand the condition of the tree and consider the potential consequences if it fails.
Putting off recommended work may mean that an issue remains unresolved when severe weather arrives. In some cases, this can lead to emergency work, damage to property or disruption to access.
Safety First During Storms
Never attempt to prune, climb or remove branches from a tree during strong winds. Keep away from damaged trees and hanging branches, and contact a qualified tree professional when it is safe to do so. If a tree presents an immediate danger to people, contact the appropriate emergency service.
Looking After Your Trees Before Winter
Tree maintenance is not just about responding to problems. Regular observation and appropriate professional assessments can help you understand how your trees are developing and identify when work may be needed.
Before winter, it is worth looking out for obvious changes such as broken branches, thinning or discoloured foliage, fungal growth around the base of a tree and signs of damage following strong winds. These observations do not necessarily mean a tree is unsafe, but they may indicate that professional advice would be helpful.
If you have several trees across your property, a planned approach to tree management can help you keep track of their condition and prioritise any recommended work.
Your Trees Will Thank You!
It’s also just better for your trees to have any work recommended by a survey carried out now. They’ll be able to heal before they head into their dormant winter period – and with that, you will be able to enjoy peace of mind that you have taken the best course of action. To find out more about our tree surveys and booking one, get in touch with our team today.
Book a Tree Survey With Essex Tree Brothers
With Storm Austen forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of the UK, now is a timely reminder to think about the condition of the trees around your property.
Essex Tree Brothers provides professional tree services across Essex, helping homeowners, businesses and landowners manage their trees responsibly. Whether you need a tree survey, advice on a potential concern or help arranging recommended maintenance, our team can discuss your requirements.
Contact us today to arrange a tree survey and take a proactive approach to managing your trees before autumn and winter weather arrives.
