Whether it be disrupted travel, power cuts or school closures, many of us will be experiencing the effects of Storm Otto as it hits the UK today, bringing with it winds of up to 75mph. During periods of severe gales it’s not unusual to hear stories about disruption caused by fallen trees, and those of us that are planning to plant new trees may be worried about future storms and the potential damage that comes with them.
Fortunately, there are steps we can take to minimise the damage caused to our trees by strong winds. Read on for our top tips to give our trees the best chance of survival in severe gales.
Choose a planting location that offers wind protection
If possible, consider planting your tree in a location that offers some wind protection. This may be as simple as planting your tree near a fence or wall. If this isn’t feasible, you may consider growing your own protective barrier by planting a screen of wind tolerant bushes or shrubs. Our Laurel trees, for instance, particularly our Portuguese and Cherry Laurels, have densely packed foliage which makes them highly effective at shielding against wind. Make sure to consider whether the placement of your bushes and shrubs is going to cast shade if your tree prefers a sunny position.


Use Rootgrow to encourage superior root establishment
Make sure your tree is equipped from the get-go to be as strong and healthy as can be by applying Rootgrow to its planting hole. The only planting treatment to be licensed and endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society, Rootgrow is designed to promote healthy growth including help trees to establish their fibrous roots. RHS Gardeners have found that plants treated with Rootgrow have superior establishment as well as better natural vigour.


Support young trees with a stake and tie
Young trees are particularly susceptible to strong winds as they do not yet have established root systems. Stakes and ties are designed to provide support to young trees’ roots while allowing the upper part of the tree some natural movement in the wind. It's important to remember, however, that stakes left longer in the ground than necessary can sometimes hinder growth. Provided the tree has established well, we generally recommend removing the stake around 12-18 months after planting. Also remember to adjust your tie as the tree's trunk grows in size (to avoid "strangulation"). Our Tree Stake & Tie Kits contain everything needed to securely stake trees and are designed to prevent root rock caused by strong winds.


Water your tree properly to encourage strong growth
Once planted, taking proper care of your tree is essential in giving it the health and strength it needs to better withstand high winds. Watering your tree properly, for instance, helps encourage strong root and branch growth. Deep watering is one of the most effective ways to ensure a tree’s roots is receiving enough moisture – it involves either soaking the surface soil with enough water to reach down into the roots, or injecting water several inches below ground level, directly into the root area. Our Tree Irrigation Kits, which are installed at the time of planting, allow trees to be watered directly at the roots (reducing water wastage in the process). Learn more by watching our YouTube video How to Easily Install a Tree Irrigation Kit.


Establish a proper pruning regime, taking care not to over-prune
Pruning plays a part in preventing against disease and rot, so it is important to establish a proper pruning routine to ensure your tree is as healthy and robust as can be. Check for any dead or dying branches from time to time and remove them to prevent the tree from being weighed down unnecessarily. Some sources suggest that thinning the canopy of a tree allows wind to pass through the foliage more freely, thus reducing movement and strain on the tree (a process known as ‘Windsail Reduction’). However, research is lacking in this area and this technique is disputed as it encourages over-pruning and unnecessary pruning of healthy limbs.
Lukens Tree Preservation argues that aggressive wind-sailing can be detrimental to trees by giving them a false sense of solidity: