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It’s not just our homes, lawns, and gardens that can be affected by flooding. Our trees can suffer, too! With many parts of Aotearoa New Zealand being affected by flooding in recent months, it’s a timely reminder to start giving our trees the attention they need and deserve. After all, their lives may just depend on it.
It’s not just our homes, lawns, and gardens that can be affected by flooding. Our trees can suffer, too! With many parts of Aotearoa New Zealand being affected by flooding in recent months, it’s a timely reminder to start giving our trees the attention they need and deserve. After all, their lives may just depend on it.
If your property has experienced flooding recently, take some of these actions to give your trees the best chance to survive and thrive once the flood waters have receded:
Assess the Damage
Even the strongest trees can fall victim to flooding. So, even if your trees look like they have come through the worst of the weather unscathed, take the time to look for damage. Check for any broken branches or signs of stress or disease. If you have multiple trees on your property, look for any uprooted ones that may require immediate attention.
If you don’t feel confident assessing tree damage on your own, consult the experts. Tree arborists in Auckland and beyond will be more than happy to inspect your trees and identify any possible problems that require addressing.
Prioritise Your Safety
Floodwaters can be powerful, uprooting even the healthiest trees. Knowing that floodwaters can result in broken, hanging branches and unstable soil, you should always approach your trees with care.
If you know that your trees are no longer structurally sound or have broken branches that could harm your family or passersby, put your safety first. Refrain from approaching the tree, block off access if required, and call trained arborists offering tree care services to remedy any safety issues.
Look for hazards before approaching your damaged trees, such as:
- Unstable root plates
- Stems wedged between standing trees
- Stems leaning into standing trees
- Shattered tree tops
- Suspended hazards
- Heavy trees leaning against other trees
- Unstable trees
Clean Your Tree
It’s not just floodwaters that can enter your property in adverse weather conditions. Mud, silt, debris, and even rubbish from neighboring properties can find their way into your backyard! Don’t forget to add your trees to your cleaning list when clean-up efforts are underway.
Remove any mud, silt, and debris that may have accumulated around the bases of your trees. Exposing the soil and clearing away any muck may ensure your trees can access the oxygen they need to thrive and stave off diseases.
While you’re cleaning, don’t forget to prioritise your health and safety. Always assume that any silt and floodwater is contaminated. Wear gloves, a mask, and coveralls if you’re moving silt by hand.
Restore the Soil
Even with flood debris cleaned up from a flood-affected property, your soil rarely looks the same as it did pre-flood. That’s often because flooding can compact soil. Compacted soil can prevent trees, plants, and even your lawn from getting the oxygen and nutrients they need to thrive. As a result, soil aeration can be crucial!
Gently aerate the soil around the base of your tree to promote a stronger structure and better root health. Work carefully to prevent root damage.
Fertilise Your Trees
Heavy flooding can take its toll on your trees and the soil surrounding them. It’s likely that essential nutrients are in short supply, making it harder for your trees to bounce back from the trauma they’ve just endured.
While applying fertiliser immediately after a flooding event is rarely a good idea, stock up on a suitable soil fertiliser before reintroducing the required nutrients gradually.
As your soil’s clay content and pH can often determine the type of fertiliser your soil needs, consider performing a soil test first. You then have a foundation to work from.
Monitor Your Trees
Damage and disease won’t always be immediately apparent after a flooding event. It can take time for trees to show that a flood seriously affected them. As a result, ongoing monitoring can be crucial.
Look out for signs of damage and disease like:
- Changes to the bark
- Cracks and splits in the trunk
- Changed or reduced leaves and foliage
- Leaf discolouration, spots, and mottling
- The presence of wasps and beetles
- Deadwood
- Fungal diseases like a white substance on the bark
- Root rot
When Should You Contact Tree Specialists?
Not all flooding events will require tree specialists to care for your trees. However, you may decide to contact tree care experts for help when:
- Your trees have been uprooted
- Your trees are showing signs of damage or disease
- You need help bringing your trees back to full health
- You’re worried about tree hazards and safety
Contact Pro Climb’s Tree Care Specialists for Tree Help After Flooding
Flooding events can be overwhelming enough without having to worry about your trees. If you’re concerned by how a flood has affected your established trees, contact Pro Climb for advice. Our tree care specialists can assess your trees and provide helpful advice on how to care for them going forward.