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 If the storm drops limbs on your roof, please don't try to climb up there yourself to get them down! We aren’t exactly known for getting lots of winter precipitation here in Athens. The occasional snow flurry, and if we’re lucky, maybe a half-inch that sticks around for long enough to make a small snowman. But sometimes, Georgia’s fickle weather likes to catch us off-guard, and sends us things like freezing rain, sleet, snow, and even hail. Such events, though few and far between, can be incredibly dangerous for a multitude of reasons, including the increased likelihood of tree failure. What happens if a tree fails in a winter storm?The first thing to do in any tree failure or partial tree failure situation is to get to safety. If a tree falls on your home, evacuate that area. If it falls on your car, keep a safe distance. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Once everyone is a safe distance away from the impact zone, it’s time to assess the situation to determine how severe the emergency is. The following are some of the criteria that both emergency responders and local tree service companies consider emergencies that should be prioritized: Someone is in danger.For example, if a tree fell onto your car while someone was in it, or fell into their bedroom, trapping them inside. Access for emergency medical attention is blocked.For example, a tree fell across your driveway, and an ambulance wouldn’t be able to get to your home if needed.  If a tree falls on powerlines, you should keep your distance, as the lines are still active and can electrocute you. Power lines are involved. If a falling tree or limb impacted power lines, call 911 to alert them so the lines can be inspected, and ALWAYS assume the lines are still active and capable of electrocuting you. Further danger is expected. For example, if a tree has started to fail but hasn’t fully fallen, say because it gets caught in another tree. Or, if a tree loses a limb and starts cracking down the trunk, suggesting it might fail entirely. If you meet any of the above criteria, first call 911 to alert them of the situation, and then a tree service company. If your situation doesn’t meet the above criteria or isn’t an emergency, you can still call a tree care professional to get your job on their radar. Just know that, while your project will likely take priority as storm-related over regular work, there may be other emergency situations that take precedence. Be patient and know that all the tree companies in your area are doing the best they can to get to every job in a timely manner while keeping their community and employees safe. What tree company should I use?There are plenty of tree service companies local to our area, and during severe storms when there is lots of emergency work, we all work together to make sure everyone’s trees are taken care of as quickly as possible to minimize damage and danger to persons and property. That said, there area few things you should confirm before allowing any tree service professional to step on your property: Liability Insurance Make sure the company you choose maintains liability insurance, and make sure that insurance is up to date. Any reputable company will be more than happy to provide you with a copy of their insurance for your records, which will include both the monetary amount their insurance covers up to, as well as the dates the insurance is valid for.  If a tree falls on your house, get out safely, call your insurance agent, then call a Certified Arborist. Worker’s Compensation Insurance You also want to ensure the company has up-to-date worker’s comp. If one of their employees gets injured on the job, this kind of insurance ensures you aren’t liable for their medical care. Again, any reputable company will provide you with a copy of this insurance for your records. Arborist Certification It’s always best to have a Certified Arborist assess your situation. They’re trained and experienced in emergency situations, and will know how best to remove the fallen tree as safely as possible, while also minimizing further damage to your home and property. How can I prepare for a storm?While there’s not much you can do in the way of preparing your trees for a storm (you can’t cover them with a tarp or park them in the garage, like you can with your car, for example), there are still some things you can do to be prepared.  Park any vehicles away from high-risk trees before a storm to prevent a tree from falling on your car. Park cars away from high-risk trees. Broadleaf and needleleaf evergreens are more susceptible to damage and failure during freezing rain and ice accumulation. If you’ve got some tall pines near your driveway, you might want to consider parking your car in your front yard, or even on the street. If you’ll be parking on hardscape, like concrete or pavement, avoid parking on steep inclines. Bring decorations inside. High winds can cause even heavy patio furniture to blow away, or worse – to crash into a window. If you can, bring loose items like this inside, or put them in a shed. If you can’t do that, consider tying them down. Get a secure water supply. Severe storms in our area tend to knock out the power, sometimes even for a few days, so it’s important to make sure you have access to fresh water. Fill a bathtub (or two, if you have them!) with water. This can be used to refill toilet tanks for flushing, brushing your teeth, or even for drinking. Having a case of bottled water on hand is also a smart idea. Remember, adults need 2-3 liters of water a day, and children need 1 liter per day, so keep that in mind as you plan ahead. And don’t forget pets! Keep warm. With freezing temperatures, things can get very cold very quickly, so it’s important to know how you’re going to stay warm in the event of a power outage. It’s easiest to keep one room at a safe temperature, rather than trying to keep an entire house warm without central heating. If you have a fireplace, stock up on firewood and pull out the sleeping bags – it might be time to have a sleepover in the living room! If you don’t have a fireplace, a small camp stove or gas grill can also generate heat. If you don’t have anything that can generate heat, gather everyone into one of the smallest rooms of the house. Bundle up with lots of layers and blankets, and use extras to cover windows for added insulation. Your combined generated body heat can help keep a smaller room warm. Keep an eye on your perishables. If the power goes out, try to open your fridge and freezer as little as possible to hold in the cold air. Fridges can keep meat, dairy, and eggs safe for about 4 hours if the door remains closed, so eat those items first if possible. Your freezer, on the other hand, can keep things safe to eat for a day, maybe even two, if the door stays shut and the freezer is full. Stock up on non-perishables. If you know in advance a storm is on the way, stocking up on non-perishable foods is always a smart move, especially foods that don’t need any kind of cooking. Crackers, bread, peanut butter, beef jerky, and canned fruits are all great options. In the event of tree damage in a winter storm, Classic City Arborists prioritizes emergency work, so don’t hesitate to give us a call! If you’d like to have us check out your property for any high-risk trees, consider scheduling a tree assessment. AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has worked with Classic City Arborists for the last 5 years. In addition to handling administrative tasks and customer communication (she’s the voice you’ll hear on the phone!), Emily is an experienced copywriter, editor, and storyboard consultant. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.
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 If you’ve lived in the southeast, you’ve definitely seen a few hickory trees in your time. In Georgia, the most common hickory is the Carya ovata, more commonly known as the shagbark. Other names include shellbark hickory, scalybark hickory, and upland hickory. The word ‘hickory’ comes from an Algonquian language, a shortened version of powcohiccora, which was likely the name of the tree’s nut, or possibly a milky drink made from the nuts. The colloquial “shagbark” part of their name comes from their most striking visual aspect: the loosely-plated bark that peels away in large plates, giving their trunks and branches an overall ‘shaggy’ appearance. Did You Know?President Andrew Jackson was nicknamed “Old Hickory,” because he was ‘tough as a hickory tree!’ The shagbark hickory is a medium-sized deciduous tree, reaching average heights of 70 to 80 feet. Their crowns mature into an oval shape and can spread 40 to 70 feet. Though native and populous throughout eastern North America, they rarely grow in stands, and instead are often found scattered throughout forests surrounded by other species. Visually, their most distinctive feature is of course their ‘shaggy’ bark. Only mature trees exhibit this trait, however; younger shagbarks actually have smooth trunks, making them difficult to identify as shagbarks from a distance. Shagbarks are also striking for their large leaves, which average 12 to 24 inches long. They grow in 5-leaflet clusters and are lightly serrated along the edges, with a vibrant green color in the spring that fades to golden in the fall.  Shagbark hickories are monoecious, with their male and female flowers growing jointly from the tips of old wood or axils of the previous season’s leaves. The female flowers are shiny and muted red in color, and each petal averaging 4 to 6 inches long. The male flowers are small green spikes that appear to grow from the female flower. They bloom in the spring, usually around late-March here in Georgia. The product of successful blooms is a thick-husked drupe with four sections that conceals a hard-shelled nut. Hickory trees are members of the walnut family, and their nuts are largely edible and enjoyable. Shagbark hickories are no exception; their nuts were once a staple in Native American diets, and continue to be appreciated by humans and animals alike. They support a wide range of species, including squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, mice, bears, foxes, rabbits, and some bird and turkey species. For humans, shagbark nuts are culinarily similar to pecans, and are often used as substitutes for pecans in colder climates. Did You Know?The largest shagbark hickory tree can be found in Savage Gulf, Tennessee, measuring in at over 150 feet tall! These trees are incredibly long-lived, with average lifespans ranging from 200 to 300 years, and they can produce fruit starting at around 40 years, making them a reliable food source. Despite this, they aren’t often used commercially, as the 40-year investment before nut production makes them prohibitive to most agricultural ventures. Their fruit output from year to year is also inconsistent, depending heavily on environmental factors, making them a temperamental crop. In addition to their nuts, shagbarks are also valued for their wood, which is used both for lumbar due to its heavy, hardy nature, and for smoking meat thanks to its light natural sweetness.  Though they’re ecologically important and visually interesting, shagbarks aren’t often used in landscaping, be it personal or commercial. Their slow growth rate is a disadvantage, and the litter associated with their drupes and subsequent nuts can be both an eyesore and a hazard. The amount of wildlife they attract can also cause problems when located near areas with high foot traffic. Though you probably won’t see one bordering a manicured lawn or along the sidewalk in the park, these trees are still widespread in our area, so keep your eyes peeled for peeling bark! AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has worked with Classic City Arborists for the last 5 years. In addition to handling administrative tasks and customer communication (she’s the voice you’ll hear on the phone!), Emily is an experienced copywriter, editor, and storyboard consultant. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.  We’ve talked before about how the stately, sprawling Southern Live Oak is Georgia’s state tree. But did you know we also have a national tree? In late 2004, the Arbor Day Foundation held a 4-month-long vote to determine which tree species should be declared the national tree. There were 21 candidates to choose from, though voters were also welcome to write in any tree of choice for consideration. The goal was to select a broad tree category, rather than a specific species. From the very first day of polling, the oak held the lead. By the end of the voting period, the oak was the clear winner with over 101,000 votes. For comparison, the runner-up (the redwood) brought in just under 81,000 votes. With the people’s choice determined, it was presented in a bill to Congress. It passed smoothly and was then sent to the President’s desk. On December 15th, 2004, it was signed into law: America’s national tree is the oak. Why Choose a National Tree?With every state denoting its own state tree, it may seem redundant to have a national tree. The president of the National Arbor Day Foundation as the time, John Rosenow, explained: “We undertook this vote to remind Americans of just how important trees are to us all, and to emphasize the history and grandeur of our trees.” About Oak Trees The oak is America’s most widespread hardwood, with more than 60 species growing native across the country. They’re everywhere you look, from our city streets to our national parks to your own backyard. Oaks are vital to their local ecosystems as sources of food and shelter for a variety of wildlife, supporting more life forms than any other North American tree genus. The genus has been around for thousands, if not millions, of years, and the individual trees themselves are some of the longest-living in the arboreal world. White oaks, for example, easily reach 300 years old, and certain trees have been recorded surpassing 600 years. There’s a southern live oak in Louisiana estimated to be nearly 1,500 years old, and an English oak nearing 2,000 years old in Lithuania. In California, a colony of Palmer’s oak clones, also called the Jurupa Oak, is believed to be more than 13,000 years old. Oaks can be seen throughout human history. Ink has been made from oak galls since the 4th century, and acorns have been an important source of food for a variety of cultures since before written record. Oak leaves have been used as symbols of royalty and military rank throughout the ages. “Old Ironsides” herself, the U. S. S. Constitution, was made from white oak. If you’d like to explore the various oak species native to North America, check out the USDA’s field guide. AuthorEmily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has worked with Classic City Arborists for the last 5 years. In addition to handling administrative tasks and customer communication (she’s the voice you’ll hear on the phone!), Emily is an experienced copywriter, editor, and storyboard consultant. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio. |
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23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24