Local arborist urges homeowners to check trees ahead of Hurricane Ian

CHARLOTTE — As the Carolinas prepare for the potential remnants from Hurricane Ian, there are things experts say people could be doing around the yard in advance.

“If we get 4 to 6 inches of rain with this hurricane and then we have wind, it can be a problem with these trees,” arborist Nathan Morrison said.

Morrison said his team took down a massive tree Tuesday, just in time for any potential impacts from the storm.

“(We) came out, inspected the base of the tree, saw a crack, and immediately told the homeowner that the tree needs to be removed. And it just so happens that we’re getting it out of here today before Hurricane Ian comes through,” he said. ‘There would be a good chance that this tree would have fallen.”

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Fallen trees are problems that arborists are trying to help homeowners avoid.

To spot a bad tree, Morrison said people should look up and search for dead limbs. Also, they should check the base of the tree for mushrooms and cracks.

“We have a huge tree in the middle of our backyard,” homeowner Laure Simons said. “If something happened to that tree and it fell, I would feel so sad. It would fall right onto our house.”

Simons said she gets her yard inspected often and feels confident ahead of the storm.

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Morrison recommends getting trees inspected on a yearly basis before hurricane season. If people are unable to, he said people can treat their own trees in the meantime.

“Another good thing for them to do is to deep root fertilize trees and strengthen the trees,” he said.

If homeowners do have someone come out and inspect their trees, Morrison highly recommends hiring an insured arborist.

(WATCH BELOW: Channel 9 heads to Florida as Hurricane Ian hurtles toward coast)