Wake Village is certainly no stranger to strong winds and storm damage. The area’s history of wind events often leaves tree owners asking, “How much wind can a tree withstand without experiencing significant damage?”
Read on to learn all you need to know about a tree’s wind resistance and how scheduling professional tree services in Wake Village, TX, can help you avoid disaster.
How Strong Winds Damage Trees
If you have a tree growing on your Wake Village property, you may be worried about diseases, insects, pests, and drought. As damaging as these factors can be, there’s one more you might miss: wind.
Looking at your tree’s sturdy trunk and large branches, it’s hard to imagine wind doing much to it. However, wind can damage your tree in two major ways:
Uprooting
While your tree’s roots are what anchor it to the ground, they can sometimes be compromised. This could be due to disease, root rot, or rain-soaked soil. Whatever the cause, strong winds will have no trouble uprooting a tree with weak root anchorage.
Stem Lodging
If the roots are strong but the wind is extreme, the tree’s stem could still break as a result of all the tension and bending. This scenario is known as stem lodging.
Understanding Your Tree’s Wind Resistance
Not all cases of strong winds will leave your tree severely damaged. It all depends on their level of wind resistance.
How much wind can a tree withstand? Most trees have evolved to withstand strong gusts, with some species capable of enduring speeds of up to 50-60 miles per hour. However, no trees will be left unharmed if the wind speed hits 90 miles per hour.
To better understand your tree’s wind resistance, you’ll need to keep the following factors in mind.
Tree Age and Condition
The older a tree gets, the less flexible it becomes. This makes it significantly more vulnerable to wind damage. Pests and diseases could weaken tree stability even further.
Root Depth and Density
How dense and deeply anchored are the tree’s roots? If the roots are shallow, the tree will be a lot less stable. In such a case, it’ll take far less than 90mph wind speeds to uproot it.
Location
If your property is in a highly urbanized part of town, your tree probably has a shallow root system. This is because buildings, sidewalks, and other urban structures restrict root growth, preventing the tree from developing a strong anchor.
Soil Structure
How much wind can a tree withstand? The soil in which it’s growing plays a part; loose soils aren’t as supportive as dense, clay-based soils. Still, you don’t want the soil to be too compacted since this makes it hard for the tree to grow deep, dense roots.
How To Limit the Risks of Wind Damage
While all these factors matter, you can take steps to enhance your tree’s wind resistance. For instance, regular pruning helps improve a tree’s canopy structure, increasing airflow.
You should also consider aerating the soil to improve drainage and boost the amount of oxygen reaching the roots. This goes a long way in promoting strong root growth.
Consult Your Trusted Wake Village Arborists
How much wind can a tree withstand? It depends on the condition of the tree and the environment it’s growing in. Fortunately, consulting a seasoned arborist grants you access to solutions that can help avert disaster.
Reach out to Hawkins Tree and Landscaping for professional guidance. Need help with fallen trees? We’re here for you.
Dial (870) 330-9912 today to schedule your consultation.