Don’t Let Winter Storms Turn Your Trees Into Property Hazards – Here’s Your Complete Long Island Tree Protection Guide

Winter storms on Long Island can be particularly devastating to trees, with ice accumulations of .25-.5 inches creating elevated risks for downed trees and powerlines. Wind gusts between 40-60 mph make downed trees and power outages certainly possible, especially when combined with heavy snow and ice loads. The key to protecting your property and ensuring your family’s safety lies in proactive tree preparation before winter weather arrives.

Understanding Long Island’s Winter Storm Risks

Long Island’s unique coastal location exposes trees to multiple winter hazards. Heavy snow and ice storms cause damage by bending and breaking branches, while the weight of snow and ice can break branches, and wind can dry out plants, especially evergreens. Recent weather patterns have shown that isolated thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall up to 1.5″ are possible in New York City, Long Island and the southern Mid-Hudson Region, often followed by freezing conditions that create dangerous ice accumulations.

Trees weakened by ongoing drought conditions are most susceptible to damage, making pre-winter assessment crucial for Long Island homeowners. The combination of coastal winds and varying precipitation types creates perfect conditions for tree failure during winter storms.

Essential Pre-Winter Tree Preparation Steps

Winter is the best time to prune due to trees’ energy reserves being higher and there being less pressure from pests and disease, while late spring and early summer are the busiest seasons for arborists. This timing makes fall preparation critical for Long Island residents.

Start your winter preparation with these essential steps:

• Remove dead, diseased, or weak branches that are more likely to break off during a storm through regular pruning
• Thin out the tree’s canopy to allow wind to pass through more easily, reducing chances of the tree being uprooted or broken
• Address structural problems such as co-dominant stems by selective pruning to promote a stronger, single trunk
• Proper pruning to eliminate multiple leaders and weak branch attachments will reduce snow and ice damage

Protecting Vulnerable Tree Species

Certain trees common to Long Island landscapes require special attention. Some trees and shrubs are more prone to damage from ice and heavy snow, including evergreen shrubs like arborvitae, yew, and juniper, as well as birch trees. Trees with dense canopies, such as oaks and maples, can catch more wind and are more likely to suffer damage during storms.

For evergreen protection, construct a barrier of burlap or similar material on the south, southwest, and windward sides of evergreens, and if a plant has exhibited injury on all sides, surround it with a barrier but leave the top open for air and light penetration.

Supporting and Strengthening Trees

Professional tree support systems can make the difference between survival and failure during severe weather. Trees with heavy or unbalanced limbs may benefit from bracing or cabling, which involves installing hardware to support branches and reduce the risk of splitting. For trees with large wide-spreading leaders or large multi-stemmed trees, a professional arborist should cable the main branches together.

Young trees need special attention, as newly planted or young trees have weaker root systems and are more susceptible to being uprooted by strong winds, so ensure these trees are properly staked prior to storm season.

Proper Tree Care Maintenance

Year-round tree health directly impacts winter storm survival. Keep evergreens properly watered throughout the growing season and into fall, never stressing plants by under- or overwatering. Apply mulch around the base of your trees to help retain moisture and protect roots, but avoid piling mulch against the trunk as this can cause rot.

Why Professional Assessment Matters

When it comes to protecting your Long Island property from winter storm damage, working with experienced professionals makes all the difference. Green Light Tree Services is the premier provider of tree services on Long Island, providing residential and commercial clients with top-quality tree removal and maintenance solutions with highly skilled and experienced professionals.

Located in Suffolk County, this Tree Company Long Island NY understands the unique challenges that coastal weather presents to local trees. Their team of certified arborists has the knowledge and experience to handle any tree-related challenge, prioritizing safety and taking extra precautions to ensure property protection throughout the process.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Even with proper preparation, winter storms can cause unexpected damage. Green Light Tree Services is available 24/7 for emergency tree removal, even during storms, offering emergency tree removal services to mitigate further damage and ensure property remains safe.

Tree service companies use a “triage” system to deal first with life-threatening and public safety situations, followed by cases with significant damage, and then to downed or damaged trees without safety issues or property damage.

Post-Storm Recovery

After winter storms pass, proper assessment and cleanup are crucial. The best thing for ice and snow in trees is to leave it alone, as clear skies and higher daytime temperatures will help melt snow and ice, and winds will blow loose snow away. However, professional evaluation ensures hidden damage doesn’t create future hazards.

Preparing your Long Island trees for winter storm season requires planning, proper techniques, and professional expertise. By taking proactive steps now, you can protect your property investment and ensure your family’s safety throughout the harsh winter months ahead.