After several weeks of severe weather, high winds and a number of tornadoes, Nebraska homeowners need to assess the storm damage to their trees. Extension educator Mike Maddox says repairing those trees should be a priority.”
People should take care of that right away, the broken branches can lead to decay and other structural problems in the tree if not tended to,” Maddox says. Homeowners can take care of small pruning themselves, but he says when they have to climb a ladder, they should call a professional. He says professionals should also be called if power lines are involved or if there could be damage to property.
He says people should tend to the trees as best as possible with the proper pruning cuts. Maddox says there are specific measures to take with damage to oaks and elms. He says use a pruning paint after doing the repair to keep out insects but that about the only time he recommends using the paint.
Maddox says homeowners with damaged trees on their property might save some money by doing the repairs themselves, but they could also end up with a big hospital bill. Small pruning can be done by hand from the ground or with a pole saw but if they have to get on a ladder or “do something in the tree where they have to be a monkey to get out to it,” Maddox says it’s then the pros need to be called in.