Have your trees been put through their paces this hurricane season? With the storms having quieted down, you may be asking what is to be done next. Or perhaps you are not sure which of your trees could be a hazard come winter.

South Coast Outdoor Services, LLC is here to put those questions to rest. We are a locally owned and operated concern in the Greater Mobile, AL area, with the proper licenses and insurance to see that the trees of our homeowners and business clients are healthy, safe and in good order. Our office is open 7:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Saturday; pick up the phone at (251) 551-9627 and we can discuss your trees.

On the Gulf Coast there is no better time than fall to tend to your trees. The cooler months present an opportunity to do some cleanup and get ready for the weather ahead after all the stress of hurricane season. Here are a few tips to put you in the right direction.

Storm Damage: A Closer Look

Start by making a circuit of your property and examining each tree in detail. What the storm winds have done is not always apparent from afar and a compromised tree is a liability should another one come along. In the course of your inspection you will want to be on the lookout for:

• Branches with cracks or splits that could come down unannounced
• Limbs left hanging in the canopy or otherwise loose
• Trunks with a lean where there was none before the storms
• Any roots at the base of the tree that are exposed or have been lifted
• Splits in the main trunk or at the union of a major branch
• Early leaf loss on dead or dying limbs

Should you see any of these, a professional opinion is warranted. Some matters are easily remedied, others indicate a tree has to be taken down to preclude damage.

Pruning for the Winter

As the growing season comes to a close, many of the trees on the Gulf Coast are going dormant and fall is ideal for pruning. Done with care it will see them through the winter. It is not just a cosmetic exercise; sound pruning will eliminate weak wood and let air into the canopy so that heavy limbs are less apt to give way to wind or the burden of rain.

There is an art to it though. An ill advised cut can be detrimental to the tree. All too often a homeowner with the best intentions over prunes or makes a cut in the wrong place and invites disease. If you are not certain, leave it to a pro who will do it properly.

Put the Debris to Rights

You will find your fair share of mess in the wake of a hurricane. Downed limbs and leaves are not only unsightly but they can stifle the lawn and make for dangerous projectiles in the event of further inclement weather. Clear the yard and the area around your trees. Also cast an eye upward; a limb broken in the storm but still in the canopy can decide to drop without notice.

Disease and Decay

The humidity and wetness of the Gulf Coast will foster fungus and decay when a storm has made its mark on a tree. Fall is when you want to check for trouble. Red flags include mushrooms at the base or on the trunk, bark coming off in large pieces, spongy or hollow wood, discolored leaves out of season and cavities in the branches. An early detection can be the difference between saving a tree and having to remove it as a hazard.

We are available for emergencies

No amount of fall care will stop a strong wind from toppling a tree. For that reason we have 24/7 emergency service outside of our normal hours so that a threat to your home or business does not have to wait until we open Monday morning.

A measure of attention now will protect your property well into the winter. For a free estimate or to have us put in an inspection or do some pruning, South Coast Outdoor Services, LLC can be reached at (251) 551-9627.