Tree Recovery For Homeowners
The City values our trees and it is our intent to save as many as possible. We examine City injured trees for the type and extent of damage before considering removing them. Even though a tree may have branches left, the structural integrity could be beyond repair. The safety and protection of people and property weighs heavily in the decision to save or remove.
The Keepers
Minor Damage
Although the tree has been damaged, enough strong limbs may remain on a basically healthy tree to make saving it possible.
An Easy Call
A mature shade tree can usually survive the loss of one major limb. The broken branch should be pruned back to the trunk.
Too Young to Die
Young trees recover quickly. If the leader and structure for branching is intact, the broken branches can be removed so the tree can recover.
Say Goodbye
Some trees simply can’t be saved or are not worth saving. If the tree has already been weakened by disease, if the trunk is split, or more than 50 percent of the crown is gone, the tree has lost its survival edge.
Farewell to a Friend
A rotten inner core in the trunk or structural weakness in branching patterns can cause a split trunk. The wounds are too large to ever mend.
Hopeless Case
All that’s left is the trunk. The few remaining branches can’t provide enough foliage to enable the tree to survive through another growing season.
Tree Tragedy
This tree has lost too much of its leafy crown. It probably won’t grow enough new branches and leaves to provide nourishment and regain its former beautiful shape.
SOURCE: ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION,
https://www.arborday.org/media/stormrecovery/for-homeowners.cfm#keeper
