Protect Your Trees and Landscaping From Arizona's Monsoons Storms...

The Monsoon Season is in full swing in Arizona. No doubt, you have seen the damaged tress around tow already. Don't give up on protecting your landscape from these high winds!

Here are a few basic tree care tips for avoiding storm damage:

- Plant new trees with their mature size in mind. Do not plant in shallow soils, too close to buildings or wires, or in steep banks. Some trees are more brittle and susceptible to breaking. Do your research before planting to save yourself the heartache of losing a tree after years of care.

- Water, mulch, and fertilize the trees regularly and properly. Prevent the soil from becoming compacted.

- Prune annually (or every two to three years, depending on the variety) even while the trees are still young. Having your trees trimmed by a professional who understands healthy tree structure is your best bet for avoiding problems.

- Avoid digging around roots. If some digging is absolutely necessary, take measures to minimize cutting or any other impairment of the roots.

- Do not top trees! This common but incorrect practice guarantees eventual failure of branches.

A Certified Arborist - a professional who has been certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) can provide your trees with the best possible chance at long-term health and survival. They can quickly recognize potential defects in a tree before they become major threats, or that you may not have noticed yourself. If left to unattended, these defects can lead to branch failure, splitting, or loss of the entire tree. Keep in mind, though, that it is not only your arborist's responsibility to care for your trees. There is a lot you can do to help too.

Protect our Trees From Monsoon and Dust Storm Damage in Arizona...

Damaged trees are all over valley streets an neighborhoods this week. Don't give up on your trees... there are things you can look for to help you recognize and prepare for these Arizona Storms. Research indicates that nearly 75% of tree damage occurring during storms is predictable and preventable. Here are a few warning signs that your trees may be more vulnerable to wind and other severities of our summer weather:


- Dead branches can be unpredictable because they are brittle, and cannot bend under pressure like living tree branches.

- Cracking is a clear indicator of potential branch failure, most cracks tend to lead to splits in severe weather.

- Poor tree composition (branch structure) is hard to identify. Have your Arizona landscape professional look for excessive leaning, long horizontal limbs, crossing branches that rub against each other and create wounds, and narrow crotches (V-shaped instead of U-shaped).

- Multi-trunked trees need special attention and care. Two trunks or leaders that are of identical diameter and have a narrow crotch are not a good sign. In these cases you may want to consult with an Arizona Certified Arborist (tree specialist) to prevent total tree loss.

- Any hollow cavities, decay or fugal growth is a sign of weakness.

- Pests, such as the palo verde boring beetle, can negatively affect tree's health, but they typically target trees that are already sickly.

- Root problems can cause a variety of problems, keep in mind that roots are a tree's anchor. If a significant portion of a mature tree's roots have been crushed or cut, or if the tree is still root-bound from the box it came in from the nursery before it was planted, you may consider removing the tree before Mother Nature removes it for you (without warning).

- Weak roots and a thick canopy is the deadliest combination during a storm.

- Keeping your trees thin is the single most important thing to do to "storm-proof" them. The thicker a tree is, the more susceptible it is to damage in heavy winds. Even for a tree that is otherwise perfectly healthy, overly dense foliage poses a safety hazard during stormy weather. A dense canopy will not allow the wind to easily pass through, and the resistance to wind can cause branches to break or even bring the entire tree down. Can you see some light through your tree branches? This is a good indicator that wind can pass through the tree when needs be.