Protect Your Home Against Storm Damage

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

Freeze Damaged Trees Threaten Safety

Pine trees are beautiful, but the storms that threaten to visit each winter are not. If you live in or have visited the Southeastern region, one commonplace is noticing the number of hearty pines our climate sustains. During the Winter months, pine tree needles naturally hold in moisture and become very heavy and begin to sag. Wet and cold conditions during storm season can make for pines to become weak. The sheer height of mature pines can exceed heights of 200 feet making them the perfect target for microburst damages. Placement of pines can also be a cause for damages, as if pines are not surrounded by other like-trees, microburst winds can cause irrevocable damage to the tree, and structural damages to your home or commercial properties from fallen trees or branches.

Last year, specifically in Eastern Texas, SERVPRO of Columbia County crews responded to the call for help. With iced pipes bursting, the need for structural drying, roof tarping, and restoration to finish restoring properties to preloss condition was a desperate need in responding to the Winter ice storm that swept across Texas.

How to Find if Your Pines Have Freeze Damage

Extreme winter, ice temperatures affect needles and leaves and can show property owners signs of freezing. Often freeze damage is presented through the forming of ice crystals inside the leaf or needle cells, causing them to “rupture.” One key sign is discoloration or browning of needles and leaves. Most trees have evolved to becoming adaptive to these Winter conditions. For our Southeastern region, when an ice storm visits, our local pines are not accustomed to lower temperatures and are susceptible to show freeze damage signs.

Protect Your Home Against Storm Damage

Protecting your property from pines involves work, but nothing compared to having to call in a team of experts like SERVPRO to repair damages after the storm passes. Here are a few helpful, Winter ice storm tips in protecting your pines:

• Water the pines thoroughly before the freeze occurs. This helps to provide ample moisture so trees can stay hydrated.
• Mulch the area around tree bases. A fresh layer of insulation could help strengthen roots during the freeze.
• Build a Wind Barrier. Microburst winds can severely damage your trees (and your property.) Posting sturdy stakes and wrapping the tree with a hearty fabric like burlap can help wind to pass through.

Protected your pines, but still have storm damage to your property? Give our team of experts a call for immediate ice damage help, at 706-868-5441. We’re always Here to Help.®