Gardening With the Wind

When The Wind Blows

Gardening with the Wind

Here are a few tip to learn how to help your treasured trees weather the tempests and keep from snapping in the wind. It's not as difficult as you think.

     In Texas they call them Blue Northers. Around the Great Lakes, it's Lake Effect storms. Chinooks create caution from Alberta, Canada south to New Mexico. In Alaska, the Taku storm winds prevail and the California coast braces for the seasonal Santa Anas. Whatever their names, a key ingredient of these storms is wind - and lots of it!

Plant a Tree for Wind Resistance

     How you plant will benefit the plant as it grows and gains the strength for all kinds of weather. Your main objective when you plant a new tree (whether fruit bearing or ornamental) should be to encourage rapid growth and production, coupled with vigor and storm resistance. A tree may appear large and strong, but if the root system is not established properly, a windstorm can leave you with a gaping hole in your well planned landscape. Try these simple steps for planting 

• Break up the root ball ( especially if they are growing in a spiral) and tickle the roots in the bottom of the pot. Better yet, purchase only plants that are well rooted in their containers, but not so root bound that the roots are spreading out of the bottom of their container. 
• My grandpa used to teach, “Dig a $10 hole for a $5 tree”. Today’s horticulture specialists teach a little differently, but the basic theory is sound. Spread the roots outward in the hole. A good rule of thumb is - place the plant in a hole twice as wide as the root ball and deep enough to be able to add organic matter and mulch to the hole in addition to the soil. 
• Finish planting so the final grade or level of the soil is the same as the container the plant was in.

Water Trees to Withstand Winds

     Many types of large trees, like some of those seen on golf courses and lawns are really not suitable for shallow, large volume watering systems provided by sprinklers. Sprinkling does not allow trees to anchor their roots deeply to provide strength against strong winds. Less frequent watering provided slow and deep is best. The way you water your tree in the early stages will determine how it reacts and responds to wind during a storm. Watering close to the trunk encourages the root system to grow in a small pattern, clumping inward toward the trunk. Instead, it's best to move the water source outward as the tree grows - toward the drip line and away from the trunk. If you water the roots in this manner, you will provide added strength to the tree.

     Summertime in the deserts around Phoenix, AZ brings seasonal monsoons. Predictably, the high wind storms create toppled trees. Mature cypress, California pepper, olive trees, and others fall victim to winds over 50 mph. Experts are ready for calls to repair and

remove. The wind damage estimates citywide after these storms can top out in the millions. Toppled trees, watered with shallow sprinkling systems, collapse on their sides and display support systems with shallow roots growing close to the trunks. More evidence of the important of watering properly.

Prune Trees for Wind Resistance

     Most trees grow well with little or no pruning - they've done so for years. In fact, if you look closely at nature, some of the most attractive trees are always less than perfect. Some of the prettiest are the palms that grow sideways, pines angled along the ground or cypress twisted by coastal gales.

      If too many branches develop, competition and shading will allow some branches to grow faster than others. In turn, the small, weak branches will die and drop. Whenever possible, allow your trees to develop with minimal pruning. Prune only to correct obvious structural faults, such as poorly positioned or strongly competing limbs, weak branch attachments, or limbs that are damaged and dead. Remember, when you destroy natural formations - trees react. If a limb is removed, make sure there is a reason for it. Recreational pruners can undoubtedly cause problems that will be difficult to correct in later years. Most experts still abide with the guideline, "prune only 25% of the tree each growing season". Pruning more can cause unnecessary damage. Nature has created a unique way of allowing trees to develop their own manner of balance.

Caring For Trees With Wind Damage

     Broken limbs that occur during severe windstorms should be repaired. When the branches are large or high up on the tree, call a professional. But in home gardening, where do-it-yourself is a part of life, you can cut the limbs yourself and have them fall properly in the intended place with just a few planned practices.

Usually, you can prune trees any time of the year, except when the tree is swelling with new buds or putting on new growth or fruit. A tree in its dormant stage is generally best for consideration. In most areas the ideal month for pruning is December through February. In higher elevations, the season can extend into March or even April.

     Equipment needed for pruning is usually easy to find and inexpensive, although size of the pruning job will dictate the type of tools needed. Hand shears and pruning loppers are handy for small limbs less than one inch in diameter. Hand pruning saws are ideal for use on larger limbs. Chain saws may be needed  for bigger jobs.

     Treating wounds in trees from wind damage with petroleum based tar is not as crucial as previously thought, especially on small cuts. Some nurseries still recommend that all pruning cuts be treated with asphalt salves, Bordeaux paste (a topical fungicide) or other tree healing products. The argument exists that you are making an incision on living tissue (just like a surgeon) so the wounds are subject to infection and disease. But most extension specialists and master gardeners agree that research points in another direction. So what is the treatment of choice by modern professionals? Nothing – leave it alone. Prune to maintain and repair wind damage limb, but then allow the tree (which usually has its own built-in mending system) time to heal naturally.

How to Prune Trees Safely

     Don't forget about safety - an important consideration when working in the garden with any tools. Safety glasses, gloves, sturdy ladders, and when necessary, hard hats and ear protection may be needed. Also, if the tree is large and tall, it may be a good idea to make it a two-person job.

     Broken limbs and split trees that leave an exposed cavity used to be a tree surgeon's dream. Nowadays the reality is... trees usually heal just fine on their own, without a lot of extra expense and cosmetic packaging.

     If you have any questions or doubts, check with your local extension office for proper pruning techniques. It's a free service, with expert guidance.