ALBANY, N.Y. – Are your trees ready for a serious storm? With hurricane season upon us, now is the time to assess the structural health of your trees to prevent storm damage from falling trees and limbs.

Routine maintenance is the best way to keep your trees in top shape. But if your trees have not received preventive care, or if you are concerned about the structural health of your trees, there are still some actions to take before a hurricane strikes.

Here’s what you should look for when doing a tree inspection:

• Dead trees
• Dead, decaying and weakly attached branches
• Root disease or disturbances
• Trees with dense canopies
• Trees with poor structure and shape

Although trees can cause considerable damage when they fall, most trees do not fall during storms and of those that do, only a small number strike a target. Moreover, just because a tree is big and old does not necessarily mean it is dangerous – but that is not something a typical homeowner has the experience to assess. At the same time, just because a tree is alive does not mean that it is sound and firm.

If you don’t feel qualified to inspect or maintain the trees on your property, consider calling in a professional arborist. Be sure your arborist is insured and has current references.

Large branches hanging near your roof are a problem. Although the branches may not be touching the roof under normal conditions, the high winds of hurricanes can cause trees to bend and branches to flail around considerably. These branches can cause extensive damage to the roof and should generally be removed.

Public utilities engage in constant pruning and maintenance of trees near power lines in order to minimize storm damage. Why not follow that example and begin a regular maintenance program for the trees on your property? Remember, now is the time to take care of your trees, not when a hurricane threatens.