When a seemingly healthy, strong tree in its prime is glowing in the summer warmth when all of a sudden, one or more of their limbs drops off without warning, it can leave homeowners concerned. Sudden summer limb drop, promotes questions as to why it is happening and if the reasons are serious, it is a rather perplexing matter to tree enthusiasts. With Oak trees being the most common, as well as Redwood Ash trees, Raywood Ash trees, Maple trees, Bradford Pear trees, Modesto Ash, Sycamore trees, and Chinese Pistache trees, among other trees, this is a common phenomenon. Today, we at 207 Tree Service would like to further elaborate on the subject to help homeowners better understand the sudden summer limb drop event.

What is Summer Branch Drop?

Within trees, a process known as evapotranspiration takes place. After they draw up extreme amounts of water during the day, this process involves releasing moisture into the air through the tree’s leaves. Take a potted plant and securely tie a plastic bag around it as a science experiment. You will see the bag engulfed cloudy with moisture after a short time. Trees don’t get the opportunity to shed out the moisture they withdrew from hot days when there is a sudden drop in temperature in the evening hours as you take this experiment into account. When this event occurs, the branches become overburdened with increased weight, causing them to drop off. With no signs of disease or pest infestations, these limbs will appear healthy green and be pliable where it looks like feathery cuts were made.

What Causes Sudden Branch Drop?

From the activities of birds or another wild animal that agitates the damaged and weighted limb in some instances, a small crack or fissure produced by the moisture’s weight that didn’t cause it to completely remove the limb in some cases can fall off. Where the limb eventually drops off, the limb can begin to decay, in addition to the initial crack or damaged sustain by the unshed moisture weight. When the limb gets increasingly large amounts of water before it is able to expel it through the leaves, the limb will crack or break off completely in these cases.

How Do You Prevent Summer Limb Drop?

There are not any obvious signs your tree’s limbs are in distress, generally. You can potentially spot the sudden limb drop if you notice a bit discoloration, a darker spot where the water is trying to bleed out if you know what to look for. This phenomenon can take up to 5 years or more before the limb will break without any evidence to the potential occurrence, however.
When the branches have been poorly maintained and improper DIY pruning is involved, and the branches are unnecessarily heavier, limbs will also fall with little notice as the trees gathering extra water on the hot days.

Tree Trimming, Pruning, Removal & More in Gorham, Lewiston, Brunswick, Saco, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Freeport, Gardiner, Biddeford & Greater Portland, Maine

There are a few things you can do that minimizes the risk of summer limb drop, though help prevent the summer limb drops there is little that homeowners can do. It is important however to have tree trimming and pruning conducted by a professional regularly. Call in professionals to ensure effective and proper pruning and thinning needs are executed. In Greater Portland, ME, call 207 Tree Service to properly care for and maintain your trees.