It’s not too often that trees in Austin, Texas withstand a layer of ice. For input on taking care of trees following the February 2023 winter storm, read the this valuable advice from Manager of Landscape Services Jim Carse and his team of arborists.
SAFETY
Look up! For larger trees, take the time to inspect the entire tree for broken or hanging limbs. Also inspect the trunk and main stem for cracks.
Call a professional for large jobs that require working in the tree canopy; ladders and chainsaws are bad combinations. Use this link to find an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist near you.
REPAIR
Limbs that broke due to ice accumulation did not break cleanly. These rips and jagged breaks need to be cut clean by a hand saw or chainsaw so the tree can properly protect against decay. See this site for information on proper tree pruning.
Many trees were predisposed to breaking due to over-pruning; do not remove more live material then you absolutely need to.
Oak trees are susceptible to oak wilt and need to be dealt with differently than other trees. See this site for more info about oak wilt.
REPLACEMENT
If you have to remove a tree that’s damaged beyond repair, replant a tree in its place. The best time to plant in Central Texas is from approximately October-February. Here’s a great resource for choosing native and adapted trees and plants for the Austin area.
The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center also has a good directory of native plant suppliers. The Center also hosts a native plant sale in the spring and fall where you can purchase a variety of Texas natives, including perennial and annual flowers, grasses, vines, shrubs and trees for shady and sunny gardens.
The benefits of native plants include water conservation; lower mowing costs; increased habitats for birds, butterflies and other wildlife; protection and enrichment of soil; and the reduction in the use of fertilizer and pesticides.
MORE INFO
Jim also suggests checking out this Texas Standard interview with Alison Baylis, regional urban ecologist with the Texas A&M Forestry Service. She explains why the storm caused so much damage and what to consider when caring for trees.