While plant life can be negatively impacted by extreme cold temperatures, Fort Worth\u2019s tree canopy did not see \u201csignificant damage\u201d during Winter Storm Fern, city officials say.<\/p>\n
The winter is an ideal time for Fort Worth\u2019s urban forestry management team to prune trees, said city forester Hannah Johnson.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cold snaps typically prompt the city\u2019s hazard abatement team to closely monitor reports and clear high-traffic roads of downed limbs or damaged trees, if any, to ensure conditions are safe for first responders.<\/p>\n
Forestry staff check young trees, either those just planted or growing at the city\u2019s tree farm, are properly watered ahead of freezes. Moist soil helps insulate roots and reduces stress stemming from weather conditions on young trees, Johnson said.<\/p>\n
Tree care branches out to Fort Worth\u2019s parks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Should parks show any signs of damage, staff will also clear debris and make clean cuts to any trees affected by storms to speed up recovery, Johnson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tree wound recovery is maximized<\/a> after a winter storm when pruning takes place before most vegetation blooms in the spring, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.<\/p>\n Not all winter freezes guarantee major damage for plant life, Johnson said. Ice buildup is the biggest risk trees face as added weight can lead to cracking or splitting.<\/p>\n \u201cImpacts to the (tree) canopy are often minimal,\u201d Johnson added.<\/p>\n Cold winds and sudden exposure to sunlight and warmer temperatures in the winter can also be harmful to a tree, according to the state forestry service.<\/p>\n Forestry staff prioritize Fort Worth\u2019s tree life by removing deadwood and performing structural pruning as, regardless of the time of year and temperature changes.<\/p>\n Regular, year-round maintenance supports long-term tree health, Johnson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n North Texans may also notice utility officials cutting tree limbs or entire trees.<\/p>\n Power distribution company Oncor is permitted to trim and prune trees year round for the safety of plant life and the public.<\/p>\n Trees within 10 feet of power lines could lead to sparking, fires and service disruptions.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen trees get too close to lines, it can cause service interruptions,\u201d said Oncor spokesperson Roxana Rubio. \u201cInclement weather could also cause trees to fall on our lines. Our increased tree trimming efforts are really a way for us to make our system a little bit more resilient.<\/p>\n Utility officials consult arborists and property owners when determining the need to remove\u00a0 an entire dead, diseased or hazardous tree, Rubio said. Oncor staffers may remove entire tree trunks if property owners agree to the procedure, she added.<\/p>\n The public can report overgrown trees and refer to a map with planned tree maintenance at Oncor\u2019s Vegetation Management website<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information about Fort Worth\u2019s care for tree canopy, visit the city\u2019s Urban Forestry Management website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nicole Lopez is the environment reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at nicole.lopez@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n