Department of Natural Resources Offers Tips for Dealing With Damaged Trees

(KNSI) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has tips for home and property owners dealing with downed or damaged trees.

The DNR says to inspect standing trees for damage and clean up hazardous trees such as those that have split, have a cracked trunk, and detached or loosely hanging branches that can fall off and injure someone. Officials say to remove trees if more than 50% of the trunk or live branches in the crown are damaged or if the tree is unnaturally leaning or the roots are damaged. For trees that suffered broken limbs, they need to be pruned. They say to remove small, broken limbs by cutting just outside the branch collar. Limit pruning to the minimum amount necessary. The DNR says too much pruning can weaken an already stressed tree – and many trees are stressed due to last year’s drought.

Another tip is to make sure damaged trees get rain or are watered weekly to help them repair and rebuild. Officails say the equivalent of 1 inch of rain per week is ideal. Monitor damaged trees in upcoming years to ensure they don’t rot or become a hazard.

Experts say not to apply paint or dressing to a tree’s wounds. They say it interferes with a tree’s natural wound healing process and don’t repair a broken branch or fork of a tree with tape, wire, bolts, or other wraps. The wound will invite decay and further weaken the tree.

Talk to a certified arborist if you’re unsure if a tree should be pruned, removed, or saved. For more information on tree care, proper pruning techniques, and handling damaged trees click here.

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