Nature has a way of pruning its landscape on its own; but all in all, nature was kind to the Philadelphia region. However, tropical cyclone Sandy has left her mark on the Philly landscape. There are down trees and fallen limbs from Malvern to Philadelphia; but for the most part, the damage doesn’t seem too extensive. On the back roads, you'll see that trees have fallen across the road causing detours, needles and branches coat the asphalt roads making it very tricky to drive because the roads are wet. The winds are still blowing and there is also flooding on low lying properties which causes old and rotted trees to still be a threat.
If your landscape is not completely flooded, and once the winds calm down, take a walk around your landscape this evening to assess the damage from Sandy; but be careful of falling tree limbs. Any shrubs or small trees with broken branches can be pruned using pruners or a sharp saw. Cut past the broken wood making a clean cut. Any shrubs or trees that have heaved up through the ground can be tamped back down with your foot while making sure tree or shrubs is straight. Evergreens, Butterfly bushes , Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Hydrangea, Lilacs, Forsythia and other evergreen shrubs, small trees, woody shrubs, as well as, ornamental grasses will usually return to their proper posture on their own.
You can rent small equipment such as chipper if you want to make mulch, as well as, log splitters and chain saws for do it yourself cleanup from your local rental companies and home improvement stores. Don't attempt to cut or saw large limbs without proper experience or equipment. If you don't trust yourself, call on the experts. Here are some Main Line tree companies that come highly recommended.
Rick's Tree Service
Bradley Tree Experts
Shreiner Tree Care
Horgan Tree Experts
Get the kids outside tomorrow, if they don’t have school, and have them help with the branches.
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