It's important to protect your trees during drought because trees add value to your home and provide multiple benefits to the environment. They produce oxygen, keep the air humidified via transpiration of moisture and provide habitat for birds and insects; however, if your trees become severely damaged by drought, they can present hazards. Falling trees and limbs can cause severe damage to homes and property as well as presenting the potential for injury.

Drought damaged trees near utility wires cause high risk for fire, power surge and/or electrocution. If a drought damaged limb flies off and breaks a utility line, it can cause all kinds of problems and dangers. A dead, drought damaged tree falling on a utility line can threaten the safety of your home and those in the vicinity of the tree and power line. Of course, removal of fallen limbs and trees from power lines is costly and complicated, as well as dangerous, so the need for it should be avoided!

Be sure to care for your mature trees in a regular, ongoing manner during drought and at all times by watering, mulching around the tree to hold in moisture, and keeping dead limbs trimmed away. Avoid trimming living limbs during drought, as this will stress your tree. Also, do not over fertilize during drought, since your goal during times of stress is to help the tree survive successfully. Encouraging growth is not a good idea.

During times of drought, be sure to water your trees deeply, at least once a week using a soaker hose or simply allowing water to trickle from your hose all day long. Note that if you use the trickle method, you must move your hose four times during the day to be sure that the ground all around the tree is completely saturated. Mentally divide the area around your tree into quadrants and shift the end of your hose from one quadrant to another every 4-6 hours.

Managing Tree Hazards

If your trees have been damaged by drought, you should examine them closely to determine whether or not you should call a professional tree service to help you care for them, save their lives, make them safe to be around or possibly even remove them. Here are some things to look for when evaluating the needs of your drought affected Texas trees.

* Listing to the side (especially if leaning toward a potential target)
* A forked trunk that displays multiple branches all the same size
* Splits and cracks in the trunk or at the base of limbs
* Mushrooms at the base or on the trunk of the tree
* Nearby trees that are dead or fallen
* Sudden and unseasonable leaf drop
* Fallen branches around the tree
* Dead and/or dangling branches
* Injured, damaged, broken roots
* Decay in old damaged spots
* Odd color or size of leaves
* Holes and cavities
* Insect infestation
* Rotting wood
* Wilting leaves

Source: International Society of Arboriculture

If you determine that you have trees that are at risk, hiring a professional arborist can open a world of options to you that you may not have thought of. From simple solutions, such as removing possible targets from harm's way to more complex solutions involving precise and regular pruning, filling of cavities, bracing, tethering, planned fertilizing and so on, a professional arborist is sure to have access to the latest information and techniques in tree care. He or she will know the best way to treat your tree to save its life, as well as knowing when it is time to simply remove the tree. When you take good care of your trees, you increase their health life span as well as the attractiveness, value and safety of your home.

Pollen grains are tiny and easily spread when released into the air. The powdery grains are also easily inhaled. The pollen powder can also attach to clothes, shoes and hair. A person allergic to oak pollen will have an immune reaction to the pollen, treating it as a harmful substance. This chemical reaction involves the release of histamines resulting in various nasal congestion symptoms. Some individuals develop more serious asthma symptoms from oak pollen allergy. Any allergy to oak pollen is called seasonal allergic rhinitis since symptoms occur only during the pollen season.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, pollen from oak trees will be more intense in the early morning hours. Pollen sufferers can track the pollen count daily from various regional reporting stations so they can know when symptoms might worsen. Aside from medical treatment, doctors recommend staying indoors with the windows closed and air conditioning on to avoid contact with the pollen during the worst days. Changing clothes, removing shoes, and showering after being outside can also help to relieve symptoms.

The spring of 2012 has seen a real storm of sneezing for allergy sufferers in the South and Midwest. The drought in Texas, combined with a warm winter with few cold spells, caused plants to begin pollen production earlier than usual. Drought affects the pollen count because rainy weather tends to remove the pollen that floats in the air. Many plants will not release pollen in the rain. The Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Clinic has measured pollen since the 1980's. This year the clinic reported that the pollen counts in late March were higher than ever recorded.

If you live in central Texas, you know that it has been dry for far too long. Last summers' months without a drop of rain seemed to go on forever. Ponds were dry and cracked, and rivers an lakes were at record lows. Though recent showers have provided some much needed relief to the region, drought conditions persist throughout the Lonestar state. While we can cool off with a dip in Barton Springs or a float down the greenbelt, the state's trees and wildlife are not so lucky. As this the time without significant rainfall drags on, we have to consider the long term effects that this epic drought will have on our natural environment.

Oak trees are not the most recognizable symbols of Hill Country, they are also invaluable to our native critters. With over 4 million acres of trees lost in Texas wildfires, the long term effects of this drought are becoming harder and harder to overlook. Oaks produce acorns that provide necessary nutrients for turkeys, wild hogs and other animals. Without the support of a thriving oak population, white-tailed deer, Hill Country's favorite animal, are forced to look for food elsewhere, including urban areas. With little to eat, native animals are eating their winter stores, leaving them nothing to live on for the coming summer.

Without water, a tree's ability to fight off disease is weakened. Oak wilt, caused by the fungus ceratocystis fagacearum can cause serious damage to native oak trees. In our oak trees vulnerable state, the occurrence of oak wilt in central Texas is on the rise in Texas. Other pests and diseases include oak leaf blister, powdery mildew and burls.

Just like us, trees need to be healthy and well nourished to heal from wounds and prevent infection. Trees have the ability to isolate injuries to support natural healing. As our oak population becomes weaker due to long term drought, malnourished trees are unable to isolate wounds to support the healing process. Cankers on wounded oak trees are becoming more common as pathogens invade wounds on the trunk and branches.

According to TPWD's district leader at Possum Kingdom, Kevin Mote, the worst long term effects will be seen in degraded habitats. If soil remains dry for long periods of time, trees will experience die back and decline. Roots cannot supply enough moisture and nutrients to outlying branches and leaves and the tree's extremities will simply die.

As we go through this drought together, keep in mind to conserve water and care for your environment. Tree care and maintenance can keep our natural habitat lush and thriving. Watch trees for signs of distress, and remember to water your trees on a regular basis. Trees are not only beautiful, but provide much needed sustenance for native wildlife. Our Texas wildlife is priceless and should be around for generations to enjoy.

Trees, Power Lines and Community Hazards

According to most utility companies we researched, trees that fall on or contact electrical power lines are

Fallen Tree On Power Line

the leading cause of power outages. In addition to the inconvenience of a power outage, downed power lines that are entangled with a fallen tree can present a deadly hazard for bystanders.

Not only can adults and curious children face the danger of electrocution from coming in contact with the power line or other electrified objects, sparks and shorts can result in devastating fires, endangering houses and residents alike. Especially at night, downed power lines may not be immediately apparent, adding to the danger posed to pedestrians and emergency personnel.

Using Professional Tree Removal Services

While at first glance it may seem more convenient and inexpensive for the homeowner to handle the process of tree removal, this is extremely unwise. A tree or trees near a power line can easily contact the line, and an unskilled individual may accidentally contact the line, whether personally or via tools, ladders or equipment.

The danger of contacting a power line cannot be overstressed. Even a momentary contact can result in death or severe injury. In addition, should the attempt at removing the tree result in damage to a neighbor’s property or injury to a third party, the homeowner may find him or herself liable for any damages. Finally, in many cases the local power company may have regulations restricting who is allowed to work on trees that are in proximity to the power lines.

Because of these factors, it is wisest to find a licensed and insured tree removal service. When in doubt, homeowners should call their local power utility, which may have a list of tree removal services that are skilled in handling tree removals near power lines. In some cases, the utility may handle removing the tree itself, especially if the tree is growing close enough the lines to interfere with maintenance workers.

Regardless of the size or type of tree, removing a tree in proximity to a power line is a job that should always be handled by a professional tree service and company. In this way, the duty can be left to workers who are properly equipped and trained to deal with the complexities of safely removing the tree. For the homeowner, this is the economical and safe alternative to either leaving the tree in place or attempting to remove it himself.

Not all of the Austin-area trees survived last year's drought, and homeowners should be able to recognize signs that trees on their property are dead and need removal. Leaving a dead tree in place puts the home at risk for being damaged by a fallen limb or tree. If the tree has not begun to leaf out yet, it is likely dead. A tree that has 100 percent brown leaves or does not have green under the bark may also be dead. Depending on the size and location of the tree, a professional tree removal service may be needed. If the tree is exceptionally tall or thin or is growing within 10 feet of a power line, hire a professional certified arborist to take it down to avoid self-injury.

Once the dead trees have been removed from the lot, replacing them with drought-tolerant or resistant options may prevent a repeat of mass tree death in the next drought. Texas mountain laurel and Mexican buckeye are both resistant to drought, but even these trees can die if not properly cared for. With another drought predicted for 2012, understanding and carrying out correct watering for the trees on the lot can help to get them through the dry spell.

When watering the trees, the trunk is not watered. A drip irrigation or hose system should be placed at the drip line of the tree long enough to wet the soil down to five inches below the surface. If a repeat of 2011's drought occurs this year, the newly planted trees to replace those killed by the 2011 drought will be most susceptible to being killed by the weather. Water tress planted in the last two years two to three times per week during the hot summer months and weekly for the rest of the year. Established trees only need watering every two to three weeks in warm weather and monthly in cooler months.

As bad as 2011's drought was, even worse damage for the predicted 2012 dry spell can be avoided by preventative steps taken by the homeowner to remove dead trees, plant drought-resistant trees, and keep those trees watered. If any of those is beyond the time or knowledge of the homeowner, a professional tree service company should be consulted to get the trees the best possible care.