Winter is here. Are you prepared?

Winter can be a beautiful time of year – storybook-like flakes gently cascading down – creating a picturesque scene just waiting for a Thomas Kinkade series. But when it comes, a severe winter storm can be anything but picturesque. Of the ten worst winter storms in US history, four took direct aim at the Eastern coast – with the most recent storm, “Snowmadgeddon” in 2010. Record-level snowfall and ice knocked out power, shut down airports, train stations, highways, closed schools, businesses and caused severe damage to homes, trees, roadways and other infrastructure. While it doesn’t happen every year, it’s better to be prepared and informed when it does.

Words matter

Not to nerd out too much, it’s worth noting the differences between storm terminologies:

Winter Storm Outlook: Winter storm conditions are possible in the next 2 to 5 days.

Winter Weather Advisory: Winter weather conditions expected to cause significant inconveniences that may be hazardous and not life threatening.

Winter Storm Watch: Winter weather conditions are possible in the next 36 to 48 hours and people should stay informed of the conditions during this time.

Winter Storm Warning: Life-threatening weather conditions have begun or will begin in the next 24 hours and people should take precautions immediately.

Getting ready

With that out of the way – the question now becomes: Now what? Preparing for a winter storm can be broken down into three important parts:

Prepping

• Make sure your automobiles have a full tank of gas so they don’t freeze up and you’re able to ‘bug out’ if you need to.
• Insulate your home by installing storm windows or using plastic to cover the windows.
• Make sure your heating system is well-maintained and your chimney is clean.
• If you’re going to be away from your home, make sure you keep the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees.

Supplies

• Have a 3-day supply of food and water.
• Keep a flashlight and batteries handy and if possible, a hand-crank radio.
• You should also have a first-aid kit along with a seven day supply of any medications.
• If possible, ensure you have a cell phone with a charger along with emergency contacts.
• Pet owners should have extra food and water.
• Extra blankets, clothing, coats, etc. are also essential during severe winter weather.

Waiting it out

After a severe winter storm, it may require you to wait it out until power is restored or in worst case scenarios, emergency personnel are able to reach you. If this is the case, in order to remain safe:

• Listen to the radio for updates on conditions
• Run water in your home (just a trickle) to ensure pipes don’t freeze and/or burst
• Keep fuel-burning equipment vented to the outside
• Keep garage doors closed if any water supply lines are exposed to prevent freezing
• Open kitchen and bathroom doors to allow warmer air to circulate around any plumbing
• Keep thermostat at a constant temperature during the day and night
• Avoid driving during severe ice/rain/fog conditions
• Wear warm, loose-fitting, lightweight layered clothing to avoid frostbite
• Help elderly, children, those living alone or requiring special assistance during any severe winter storm

Hopefully this summary gives a strong context for you and your family to be prepared for the winter storm that never comes.

Be smart.

Be prepared.

Be safe.

5 Ways To Prepare Your Tree For The Winter Season

The winter season is on its way, and the East Coast temperatures can be brutal to residential landscape trees. Some of the stress caused to your trees is simply unavoidable; however, there are some preparations that can be made before the frigid air impacts your trees.

1. Clean up.

First and foremost, cleaning up your yard is the best and easiest way to prepare for winter and strengthen your trees. Start by removing dead or fallen trees and branches from your property. If these trees or branches are simply too large, call unLIMBited’s tree removal team at 443-517-6881 and we’ll ensure a clean, healthy and aesthetically pleasing yard.

2. Wrap your trees.

Protect all those new trees you recently planted from this winter’s wind, frost, ice and harsh sun. Newly planted trees should be protected for at least the first two winters by wrapping them in a special tree wrap/guard that is available at most nurseries and home improvement stores.

3. Give your trees a drink before the ground freezes.

Draughts can happen at any time of year – not just in the summer. Make sure your trees do not suffer from lack of moisture by maintaining their water retention before the ground freezes.

4. Treat the soil.

Over the winter, the soil surrounding your trees is guaranteed to lose some of its nutrients. The fall is the perfect time of year to treat the soil with fertilizer. A slow-release fertilizer will help sustain your trees throughout the winter by warding off damage, disease and insects.

5. Stake it.

Is your tree top-heavy or located in an especially windy area? Consider staking the tree, which will allow the tree to sway and move freely to enhance a strong trunk. Attach your tree(s) to stakes using wide pieces of a weather-resistant material, such as rubber or canvas.

Need help preparing your trees for the winter season? UnLIMBited is central Maryland’s professional tree maintenance team that provides free estimates, tree removal and takedowns, trimming and pruning, stump removal and grinding, storm damage clean-up, lot clearing, insurance work, Bobcat service, premium firewood and more. Give them a call at (443) 517-6881.

HELP! I need a professional to take this tree down!

Whether the result of a storm or simply the decision to add beauty to your property, trees sometimes need to be taken down. When that day comes, it’s important to know your limits and when it’s time to call a professional. Even if your tree is nowhere near your home or business and you think you can go it alone – think again and get it done safely and soundly. There’s much more to ‘cutting down a tree’ that most people don’t think about. Here to help you think about it, are the following reminders from the professionals:

Big tree + big crack = big problem

Any time a tree is cracked and is leaning, it’s ready to fall at any moment – pick up the phone. Over time, trees may lean and eventually fall both by natural and man-made causes. To help manage the cutting and removal, no one is better equipped or qualified than a certified tree removal service.

Damaged goods

After a storm or major weather event that damages surrounding trees, it’s highly recommended to contact a professional tree service. Safely removing storm-damaged trees may require specialized equipment and coordination with local utility companies.

Infestation

If there is a tree or local area that has been infested with termites, fungus or wood-decaying organisms, chances are good that any tree will rot and die. Before the tree falls on its own, call a professional trimming service or arborist to understand the extent of potential problems to either correct the problem or ultimately, remove the tree.

The dead or declining tree

Trees that are dead should be removed by a professional service as soon as possible. The more time that passes, the more unstable the tree becomes – making it impossible to be climbed and requiring costly, specialized equipment.

Beauty or beast?

Sometimes a tree needs to come down because of aesthetic reasons or overgrowth areas. Trees grow best when they don’t need to compete for sun, soil and water. In any of these events, put away the chainsaw and call the professionals to take the tree down.

Many times, tree removal requires permits from local governments/municipalities so hiring a professional is always the best option not to mention convenience, safety and insurance. Give yourself peace of mind and don’t take the chance – call the professionals!

Ellicott City Maryland - Storm Aftermath

Storm Damage in Maryland Strikes Again

On July 30, 2016, Ellicott City, Maryland sustained some of the worst storm damage in Howard County, if not all of the mid-Atlantic. Not since 1972 had this area suffered such ravaging floodwaters resulting in washed out roads, damaged structures, broken sewer lines, and two fatalities. In total, the storm dropped 6.5 inches of rain in two hours, with 5.5 inches falling in just 90 minutes. The meteorological cause of such an epic downpour was a complex mixture of high humidity, unstable air, southerly wind, a nearby warm front combined with other factors according to The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang.

 (Src:  Howard County Time - photo by Sarah Pastrana)

While heavy rain events have increased by 71% in the northeastern United States (including Maryland) between 1958 and 2012, other contributors to this increase is not necessarily linked with climate change according to the National Climate Assessment. Reporting on the topic has shown only with moderate confidence this link can be made. Other contributing factors are man-made which

include land use and storm water management.

The flood, considered to be a 1-in-1,000 year event, caused damage to more than 100 area homes and businesses and displaced hundreds of residents and workers in the historic downtown district. Two buildings were deemed structurally unsound and will have to be razed.

Declared a state of emergency by Maryland Governor, Larry Hogan, area residents and business owners continue to pull together to remove debris, remove trees, and help one another put their livelihoods back together and find normalcy again.

Active recovery efforts include The Disaster Assistance Center, located at 9401 Frederick Road, acting as a one-stop-shop for property owners to get information about agencies and organizations offering assistance and the Howard County Office of Workforce Development which is holding a job fair at the Disaster Assistance Center. To make monetary donations to help residents, please visit the Ellicott City Partnership, CommunityAction Council of Howard County and the United Way. In addition to private support, the local Ellicott city-based Howard bank and Buffalo, New York-based M&T bank have each contributed $10,000 to assist local merchants and residents for the recovery effort.

Why Trees Fall

Why Trees Fall

Like any lasting structure, a strong foundation is the key to existence. There are many occasions that put trees at risk of falling, especially here in Maryland. Erosion, storms/flooding, lightning, disease, high winds, just to name a few. And while trees are known to ‘weather the storm’ losing only a few branches here and there, many times trees lose the battle and ultimately fall. But it’s curious if during a storm one tree that stands 50 feet high and holds up to high wind and rains, and an identical tree several yards away falls down. To find the answer, you should look to the roots!

As soil becomes saturated with rainwater, it loosens. Over time, with more soil loss or erosion, it requires less wind or movement to push a tree from its foundation. Once the root system is compromised, the tree is more likely to fall. Three major reasons may contribute to a loss like this. Poor planting techniques, infrastructure overcrowding and overall root damage affect the health of the root system and can determine the strength of the tree over the long term.

The end depends on the beginning

Since it takes about three years for trees to develop their full root structure that will be sufficient to supply nutrients and grow a wide enough root base to grow a health canopy, planting trees the right way is critical. When planting a new tree, ensure that the root ball is just above the soil level, with soil sloping away from the trunk so that water doesn’t pool at the base. If buried below the soil level, the root ball starts to grow upwards, providing no support in the network of widening roots.

Location. Location. Location.

Healthy trees need room to grow – above and below the soil. For example, a tree that is expected to grow 45 feet high, should be a minimum of 15 feet from any concrete and 30 feet from any other large trees as not to compete for ‘root space.’ Trees equally require canopy space – so that at maturity, they don’t compete for sunlight and have room to sway in the breeze naturally.

Live and let live.

Like any plant, trees must be watered and cared for regularly. To stay healthy, trees should be pruned in the first 2-3 years so they don’t grow disproportionally as it matures. Pruning early is much easier than trimming large branches later. Topping trees essentially ‘chop off’ the canopy, stunts growth, defeats the health benefit of creating chlorophyll through its leaves and is plain ugly. Overwatering a tree, especially in non-rainy months can oversaturate roots, causing them to die leaving the tree weaker and more susceptible to falling. Lastly, keeping the tree trunk healthy is equally important. Rot can move downward into the root system and any scars or cuts can prevent nutrients from flowing upward to the rest of the tree.

Put this all together, and you’ll see the key components to keeping trees healthy and lowering the odds for the tree to ever fail. unLIMBited Tree Service with its licensed arborists and technicians can help you with all your tree needs, whether after a tree falls on your property or you’re planning for landscaping.