Ag Line: Rotten Trees
By Wade Parker County Extension Coordinator

Oak tree suffering from rot

It is amazing how fast weather conditions can change! We have literally gone without rain for 2½ months and now we have received anywhere from 5"-7" of rain in a 24-hour period. Even though the dryland corn crop has suffered a considerable amount of yield loss, the rain will be a shot in the arm for cotton, soybeans and peanuts. This rain will also give the irrigation pivots a rest as well as farmers' pocketbooks! While the rain was welcomed, we still have a long way to go before the end of the year. Maybe there will be a silver lining in 2007.

Rotten Trees

Do you remember the thunderstorm with high winds that occurred about a month or so ago? This storm caused trees around town and the county to snap like twigs. As I rode around town looking at the damage, I noticed a similarity of all the damaged trees. Approximately 90 percent of the trees that fell on power lines and houses had a portion of the trunk that was rotten.

There are many causes of why trees become rotten including dis- ease, insects, and moisture entering the inside. Whatever the cause, it does not matter. I think this storm should be a wakeup call to all homeowners with large trees in their yard. With this in mind, I am suggesting that homeowners conduct a thorough inspection of the trees in their yard. If you notice severely rotten areas, please call a local tree surgeon and have the tree removed.

There is no way to completely prevent trees from falling or breaking during a natural disaster. However, we do have tips that can help prevent a tree from falling on your house or your neighbor's. While inspecting your trees, look for big rotten spots or holes on the tree trunk and broken or damaged limbs that could potentially fall over power lines or cause damage to any structures. I also suggest hiring a tree care specialist who can perform a professional consultation and develop a plan of action for making your trees as secure as possible.

Always choose a quality tree removal specialist, making sure they carry the proper liability insurance.

If homeowners will take a few minutes to inspect their trees, they will have much more peace of mind the next time a storm blows through!

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.