How To Manage Flood Damage To Trees

Large parts of Australia, including Queensland and New South Wales, have recently been inundated with floods causing extensive damage to thousands of homes and properties. Along with the extensive damage to infrastructure, countless trees and crops have also been inundated and subjected to flooding conditions. While many homes will be able to be repaired, the question remains - what happens to the flood-damaged trees? Can they be saved? If you’re wondering how to manage flood damage to trees, we’re here to help.

What happens when trees are flooded or submerged?

When trees or crops are flooded, especially for an extended period, they often become waterlogged. Waterlogged trees are trees that in essence are drowning. Some of the most common signs to watch out for include:
 

• Leaves that are turning yellow or brown at the edges
  
• Leaves that have begun to droop or wilt
  
• Leaves that are displaying brown centres
  
• Leaves that have suddenly become brittle to the touch
   
  

If your trees or crops are displaying any of these symptoms after being submerged due to floods they may be suffering from being waterlogged.

Can you save an overwatered tree?

 While prevention is often the best cure, there are a few things that you can do to try and help your trees recover from being waterlogged due to the floods. Once it is safe to do so and the floodwaters have receded:
 

• Clear away debris and excess soil from the base of your trees - any extra debris that is sitting at the base of your trees are going to hamper your trees' efforts at breathing and will likely keep the areas around the tree moist. This is going to result in rot which will eventually lead to the death of the tree.
• Identify areas that aren’t draining well - waterlogged soil that is holding an excessive amount of water is going to do more harm than good to your trees. Attempt to increase drainage in these areas to help your trees breathe better so that they can recover from the floods.
  

Is it possible to save flooded crops?

It is possible to save flooded crops if they haven’t undergone any extensive damage from floating debris while they were underwater. If the waters receded within a few days you have a chance of saving your plants. Crops often lack an extensive root system which can become easily damaged so will suffer if they are submerged for any period. Once the excess moisture is gone you will likely need to treat your crops with extra nutrients or fertilisers to help them recover from the floods. Do this gradually to help them replace the nutrients they will have lost in the floodwaters.

Help your plants recover from the floods

With some careful treatment and time, there is a good chance that you will be able to save many of your trees or crops, even if they have been submerged in floodwaters. Ensure that they have a chance to dry out and aren’t sitting in water or waterlogged ground for an extended time. Help your plants with drainage and ensure that you help them replace the vital nutrients they will have lost. These simple methods can help your trees and crops recover after the floods.

However, if worst comes to worst and you find that some of your trees haven’t made it through the floods in the best state, you may need to make the difficult decision to have them removed. If you need a professional tree service  company to help you safely remove these old trees, we can help. Get in touch with us today and have a chat about how we can help you out with your tree removals in Byron Bay  and the Northern Rivers region .