Keeping Camas trees strong through winter
Happy New Year!
January in Camas can be a challenging month for trees. Situated on the west end of the Columbia River Gorge, our weather can get quite lively. The east wind, along with the potential for snow and ice, can lead to a variety of tree failures. While complete tree failure is rare, branch or stem failures frequently occur during periods of heavy weather.
So how do we manage our trees to help prevent these failures, and what steps can lead to the best outcomes? The first step is to have your trees assessed by a qualified arborist … and there’s no time like the present. At New Day Arborist, we have three Certified Arborists with over 60 years of combined experience, two of whom are also Tree Risk Assessment Qualified.
How does the tree-assessment process work? It begins with a site visit and a visual inspection of one tree or all the trees on your property. During the assessment, site history, tree health, structure, and risk are reviewed. From there, recommendations are made to improve health, strengthen structure, and mitigate risk.
Why does site history matter? It’s important to know when trees were planted and whether there have been any major landscape changes … including grade adjustments, irrigation or drainage changes, or recent subsurface work within or near the dripline. All of these factors can directly influence tree health.
We’re often asked to determine whether a tree, or several trees, is healthy. In addition to site history, we rely on metrics such as annual shoot growth and foliage color, size, and density. If all of these indicators appear normal, we move on to assessing structure. If the health indicators seem less than ideal, we evaluate soil characteristics such as composition, fertility, and volume. We then examine the trunk and crown (stems and branches) to identify any biotic or abiotic factors affecting health.
Biotic issues include plant diseases, insect activity, and wildlife damage.
Abiotic issues include soil compaction, drought stress, and physical damage caused by weather or human activity.
Once identified, we can recommend steps to address these issues and improve overall tree health.
Crown structure, especially poor crown structure, can contribute to failures during heavy weather. Stems and branches with weak attachments, as well as overextended branches with excessive end weight, can break during storms. Recommendations may include pruning, structural support, or, if necessary, removal.
Site history, tree health, and structural integrity all come together in a complete tree risk assessment. At that point, we can give property owners a clear picture of potential risks and practical mitigation options to help keep their trees stable during harsh weather.
Trees are our business and our passion … whether we’re consulting, pruning, providing plant health care, or performing removals when needed. Let us help you start the year off right with a comprehensive tree assessment rooted in sound arboricultural and scientific principles. Here’s to a healthy, resilient landscape in the new year.
