Trees can add a lot of character to your property. They provide shade during the hot summer months and then put on spectacular colourful displays in the fall; changing from bright beautiful greens to exotic reds and oranges. People can actually grow attached to their trees and find that they bring them joy. This can make people upset when a bad storm comes through and rips a tree from the ground, completely uprooting it. There are numerous ways this unfortunate incident can happen. Whether an uprooting is caused by a bad thunderstorm, heavy rains, tornado force winds, or bad winter storms which bring heavy snow or heavy ice, it can be enough to make even the biggest trees break, split in half, or get uprooted.
Trees, like many other things in this world, take time to grow into the big, magnificent structures that we love so much and that provide us things like shade and privacy. Making it extremely difficult when we unexpectedly lose one. We here at Five Star Tree Services want to go over how trees get uprooted and what you can do when this happens.
How Does A Tree Get Uprooted?
Sometimes, it can seem like a mystery as to why there are some trees that get uprooted during a bad storm, while others stay firmly in the ground. This can be attributed to things like the strength and depth of the roots, the overall strength of the wood itself, and the crown shape all factor into how susceptible a tree might be to being uprooted or sustaining a bad break.
Some other reasons a tree might get uprooted are as follows:
-Poor tree structure
-Root Damage
-Decaying wood
-Disturbed soil due to nearby home development
-Shallow soil
-Environment for tree has changed
-Compacted soil
-Soil not preferred by tree
-Drainage issues
-Windthrow magnitude
-Gradation changes
-Saturated soils
Is It Possible to Save An Uprooted Tree?
In short, it all depends on the size and what conditions the tree is in after the uprooting that depend if you can save an uprooted tree or not. As an example, the likelihood of a tree being able to be salvaged depends on how big it is. If a really big tree gets uprooted, it probably won’t be able to be saved. As you might have guessed, the sheer size of the tree, paired with the humongous root system that comes with it, makes it impossible to upright it without the use of heavy equipment lifting it. Even if you were able to get the adequate equipment in order to straighten it, it’s highly unlikely that it will be stable enough to stay up on its own or be able to promote anchoring roots. Large, full-grown trees all have extensive root systems. These are what anchor the tree in place and support all the weight of the branches and trunk. So, when these get uprooted, it severely damages the root system. Usually, the only roots remaining on the tree are no longer sufficient to be able to anchor the tree back in place. They are also likely not able to absorb enough nutrients or water that the tree will need in order to survive afterwards.
However, there is hope for smaller trees when they get uprooted and replanted. This is due to it having a much smaller root system and especially for young trees whose roots were able to remain unexposed in the soil during this event. If you find a smaller tree that has been uprooted, make sure to cover any exposed roots immediately in order to keep them moist and avoid them drying out. After, re-dig the soil under the mass of exposed roots, trim any damaged or shattered protruding roots, and replant the tree vertically. Tightly pack the soil around the tree and any exposed roots, then water it thoroughly. Trim/prune any branches that are broken but don’t remove any more than necessary. Once the tree has officially established new growth, you can add fertilizer and prune once again.
Life Expectancy of An Uprooted Tree
How long an uprooted tree lives for after the accident will all depend on how much damage it sustained and the weather. For instance, if there has been a particularly hot and dry spell, it might only take a day or two for an uprooted tree to die. But if a deciduous tree is uprooted but has shed its leaves, it is able to last longer. In a best-case scenario, if a tree does get uprooted, doesn’t suffer significant damages, doesn’t have many exposed roots, is not too big to upright and reorient correctly, and gets enough water, there is a possibility that it will live after the ordeal.
Can you Replant an Uprooted Tree
There is a certain degree of care required for replanting an uprooted tree. Doing so needs to be done very carefully to avoid damaging the roots and branches further. When replanting, you need to ensure you can lift it back into the original position it came from. You can’t twist or turn the tree, otherwise you are going to damage it and its roots further. Another possibility is that once you replant, it will get transplant shock. Luckily, you can avoid this as long as the tree only suffers minimal damage and then gets the appropriate aftercare, it will most likely survive. Also, the survival of a replanted uprooted tree can heavily depend on the type of tree.
Are Partially Uprooted Trees Able to Be Saved?
As long as at least 50% or more of the roots are still intact and the tree is less than 10 feet tall, it is highly likely that it can be saved. Gently pulling the tree back into where it came from, covering exposed roots with soil, generously watering it, and providing stakes for additional support is the best thing you can do for your tree. But if you have a tree that is more than 10 feet tall, it will be harder to save, no matter if it’s partially uprooted or fully.
Professional Tree Removal for Uprooted Trees
Trying to deal with an uprooted tree can be dangerous. Sometimes you are not simply dealing with a heavy tree, but your tree could be located by sewer, utility, and water lines. This is why you should never attempt to remove an uprooted tree on your own. Always call for a professional arborist that has the right equipment and skills necessary to safely remove the tree. This keeps you safe and not liable for any of those line damages.
How Five Star Tree Services Can Help
It is possible to save some uprooted trees, as long as they aren’t too big. It is always in your best interest to get a professional arborist to assess your tree’s condition and provide options. If you ever have an uprooted tree in your yard, make sure to call our team at Five Star Tree Services! We will send a trained arborist over to help determine if your tree is salvageable or not. They can also provide you with tree pruning services for your other remaining trees. This will help them withstand any future storms by alleviating some weight from them. You can reach us at (416) 990-3355.