When visions of a wildfire come to mind, many people picture burning trees and flames leaping from tree to tree. And fighting those fires may involve fire hoses or helicopters shooting water on the blaze. But there are other approaches to fighting wildfires that involve tree services. And some of those approaches take place before the first ember even sparks. Here is a look at a few different ways tree services can help prevent wildfires.
Clear trees to create a defensible space
Fires need fuel to keep on burning and slight winds can help wildfires jump from one tree to the next. A tree service can clear out a space that will serve as a makeshift blockade for wildfires. Open areas without any trees can actually halt a fire. Tree services are capable of cutting down multiple trees in short periods of time and disposing of them. Coincidentally, this can be a more effective method that traditional firefighting when it comes to wildfires.
Tree pruning to provide adequate space
Tree pruning can be used for more than just aesthetic purposes. Keeping trees from getting congested with one another will help to prevent wildfires from spreading. In many instances, high winds are responsible for keeping a wildfire rolling. However, when that wind dies down, the fire will need to spread naturally. Having tree branches overlapping and positioned right next to each other provides one elongated form of kindling. Pruning trees will help to provide adequate space between them and that can keep fires from spreading on days when there are no high winds.
Remove or prune problematic trees
Brittle limbs are likely to go up in flames much faster than healthy branches. Dying and decaying branches are essentially a good form of kindling. The same applies to trees with noticeable rot, dieback, or a frail bark. Pruning trees with these types of problems may sometimes be a lost cause as many are already too far gone. In those cases, tree removal is suggested instead. When trees are dead or on their way out, it is best to remove them before they can become prized fuel for a fire. And pruning trees to give them their space is always a good idea.
If you are in need of Charlotte, NC tree trimming service for any reason, then it’s time to call the professionals at Tree Works. Our arborists provide an array of services that ensure the health and beauty of your trees.