Texans blossom and warm up to the sight of wildflowers. With this warm spectacle comes the dreaded tears and sudden, impactful storms called ‘tornadoes.’ Even the most powerful and deadly tornadoes cannot completely wipe homes off the surface, but they can wreck the roofing systems. Roofs suffer the most and get overpowered by the high winds, debris, and torrential rain. Focusing on and attending to the roofs of those Texas houses that are located near tornado hotspots, roof protection is highly advised.
This guide will take you through the steps that will ease the steps to take to reinforce the roof and reduce the damage the tornado can create.
1. Understanding the Threat: How Tornadoes Impact Roofs
Tornadoes can take very different forms, but the second they set foot in Texas, they become unrecognizable. Even the tornadoes that are the weakest can tear shingles and lift the roof. Most of the roofing that is done is done in combination with the following:
These forces affect any home, although older roofs improperly installed or poorly maintained are particularly susceptible.
2. Plan For A Professional Roof Inspection Before The Storm Season
Scheduling a professional roof inspection in anticipation of tornado season is one of the savviest things to do. A roofer will spot small problems that turn into serious roof vulnerabilities when wind speeds go up.
These problems will include:
- Shingles that are curling or loose
- Flashing that is cracked or completely missing
- Sealant that is weak around the chimney or vent
- Vents, gutters, and chimneys are poorly secured
- Areas that are sagging and signs of past water damage
Inspections will not only give peace of mind but will also identify areas of improvement to be made before a storm comes along and exposes weak areas. Most insurance companies also will appreciate roof inspection documentation that demonstrates the roof is insured before damage occurs.
3. Reinforce Shingles and Flashing and Secure Them
With roofs, the edges are usually the first places where damage is likely to occur. Once any of the edges or corners of the roof lift, the wind gets underneath the roof and starts to peel the layers away.
These will include:
- Shingles that are damaged and are older than can be replaced with high-wind-rated shingles.
- Reseal or re-nail any loose edges of the flashing.
- Loose edges should be lifted and then secured down, along with any other vulnerable edges, using roofing cement.
- Ridge vents, drip edges, and valleys should be tight and checked to make sure everything is sealed.
Make sure, if it was recently replaced, that the contractor performed the right number of nails per shingle and that the edge materials have the proper building code for local wind resistance.
4. Removing Items Around the Property that Could be Thrown by the Wind
Tornadoes are very severe weather phenomena that have the potential to develop very quickly and with little warning. This is why it is very important to make sure that the yard around the building and the roof are neatly maintained and free of any loose items or overhanging dangers well before tornado season approaches.
Here are some steps that should be improved:
- Cut back any tree branches that grow over the roof or close to the roofline.
- All outdoor items should be secured or stored away, including patio furniture, grills, and lawn maintenance items.
- Remove any blockages that are present inside gutters and downspouts to allow for free-flowing drainage.
- Confirm that solar panels and satellite dishes have been installed by professionals and are well secured.
Most of the damage caused to roofs during tornadoes is due to flying objects and other debris. If the winds start blowing very heavily and there are a lot of loose or heavy objects around, then having them secured down close to the home will make a difference.
5. Install Hurricane or Tornado Clips
For some homes in Tornado Alley, the investment in some structural reinforcement may be worth the cost. Tornado or hurricane clips are tiny metal attachments that anchor roof trusses to the walls of your home. These attachments help reduce the chances of the roof being blown off during high winds.
Although clips are used mainly in coastal hurricane areas, they are increasingly being used in Texas tornado areas. Local roofers and structural engineers can help assess if your home is in need of such supports.
Even if you are not adding full clips, enhanced fastening of the roof can improve roof-to-wall resistance a significant amount.
6. Strengthen Roof Ventilation and Sealing
Tornadoes can threaten your roof not only from the outside. During storms, the air pressure can change and cause sudden surges, which can blow off attic vents, ridge caps, or even sections of the vent if it is not sealed properly. This scenario is not likely to happen, but it is a possibility.
To ensure that the internal pressure does not add to the chances of damage:
- Make sure attic vents are put in and are bolted down with storm-rated covers.
- Inspect attic spaces for openings or poorly sealed insulation and barriers.
- Add additional roof bracing if your attic is large and open.
- Use weatherproof materials to close gaps around the chimneys and pipes.
Good ventilation helps to minimize the accumulation of moisture, which in turn helps to preserve the roofing materials over an extended period.
7. How to Handle the Aftermath of a Tornado
Whenever a tornado or a heavy storm sweeps through your town, make it a point to check the outside of your house as early as possible. This is contingent on the storm having lifted.
Determine whether:
- There are also any missing shingles or roof ridge caps
- There are dents or holes present on the roof
- The roof sections appear to sag, or there are irregular roof sections
- Watermarks are on the walls, or it is dripping down from the roof of the attic
After strong winds or heavy rain, step away from the house and do not try to survey the roof. At first, it may appear as if there is little or no damage; however, the damage could potentially be more than the eye can see in terms of the roof, and it could be in an extremely unsafe condition. You will be better off taking pictures from the ground and calling somebody who provides roofing services.
If the condition of your house is damaged, taking note of it will help expedite the insurance claim while also limiting any damage from leaking water inside your house.
8. Review Your Homeowner's Insurance Policy
Most people do not realize that home insurance policies do not cover wind or hail damage. Tornado damage coverage also depends a lot on the insurance policy, where coverage tends to be a lot more restrictive.
Allocate time to:
- Identify what deductibles and exclusions you have.
- Check if you have replacement cost value (RCV) insurance.
- If your policy only provides depreciated value coverage for the roof replacement, you can purchase an endorsement for roof replacement coverage.
- If your home is damaged and becomes uninhabitable, the policy should provide some coverage for temporary accommodation.
Trying to understand your policy while you still can is the best way to do it. This way, you will not be scrambling to understand the policy while a panic emergency is happening.
9. A Roof In Good Condition Is Your First Level of Protection
Your roof is the most critical level of protection for your house, belongings, and people, since you can lose a lot. In Texas, in tornado season, that protection is heavily tested. While it is not possible to tornado-proof a house, the actions you take now will significantly cut the odds of incurring expensive roof damage later.
Unlike other forms of unpredictable change, weather can be predicted and even controlled. The main thing is to always keep a weather eye on the horizon. Attend to the chosen goals. Check on progress regularly. Motivate where motivation is necessary. Assess the outside environment for elements that may be unfavorable. Train your teams; make sure that you focus the teams on the objectives.
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Care for Yoshino Cherry Trees
Before starting what may be a highly gratifying project, you should be aware that yoshino cherry trees need considerable attention. Maintaining cherry trees requires a lot of labor, but it is worthwhile since these trees are so beautiful. The labor will be in maintaining your tree's water supply, making sure it's healthy and free of pests, and trimming it to keep it looking good for as long as feasible.
Knowing just where to plant your tree and the circumstances that will make that location the classic "Goldilocks" zone may help you cut down on some of your care. Don't allow a little more work stop you from using this magnificent species in your landscaping plan. Read the material below at your own pace, and keep in mind that trees are forgiving.
Light
Your Yoshino cherry will need two things that are essential if you want to produce the most stunning spring display: plenty of light and consistent hydration. Giving your tree at least six hours of direct sunshine each day will not only ensure that it grows and thrives, but it will also give it the greatest chance of producing an abundance of lovely blossoms in the spring.
Surprisingly, Prunus yedoensis may thrive in a variety of soil types as long as the soil is moist and has the ability to hold onto some moisture without becoming permanently wet. You may do your own soil test at home, but the ideal soil would have a pH of 6.5 to 7, be average in texture, and drain well. Consider putting mulch around the base of your tree and out to the dripline to assist your soil retain more moisture. It shouldn't touch the trunk and should be buried no deeper than three inches. It won't degrade rapidly if you use a good organic hardwood mulch, which will also reduce how often you need to mulch.
Water
For your tree to remain healthy and beautiful, it must get proper irrigation. Yoshino cherries need a lot of water because of their rapid growth.
Watering it once a week in normal weather or twice a week in really dry weather for the first two seasons after planting must be at the top of the list of gardening duties if the plant is young and needs to establish itself.
After the first two growing seasons, water your tree each two weeks using a soaker hose (you may make one yourself if you don't have one). Ten gallons per inch of trunk diameter, as measured by caliper, is the "usual" rate of watering. Don't water the foliage; water the roots. If there are drought conditions, water the tree once a week in the same way, keeping in mind that prolonged soaks are preferable than more frequent, shallow waterings.
Thermodynamics and Humidity
Due to its tolerance of warm conditions, this particular cherry hybrid is quite well-liked. It is not surprising that Yoshino cherries or its varieties make up 73% of all the cherry trees in Washington, D.C.'s Tidal Basin, according to the United States National Park Service. It is one of the few cherry trees in the area that can withstand the heat and humidity. While it does well in heat and humidity, it struggles in drought, necessitating the need to arrange additional watering during these times.
Despite your instinct to feed the fertilizer Prunus yedoensis more in order for it to produce more flowers, it is not a tree that is a huge feeder. Test your soil for any inadequacies before adding any fertilizer to see if an application is even necessary. Applying fertilizer will likely result in more foliage being produced than fruit or flowers, which is the exact opposite of what you desire.
Yoshino Cherry Tree Types
Yoshino cherry trees come in many different kinds and dozens of cultivars. The number of cultivars and variations increases into the hundreds when you take into account the varieties and cultivars of its parent plants. A cultivar of this hybrid would be sought after due to flower shape, color, or arrangement. The quantity of blooms in a cluster may often vary from cultivar to cultivar, affecting the appearance of the tree as a whole. Of course, this also applies to shape and color. You may get flowers in a variety of colors, from delicate pink to a light pink that fades to white as the season goes on, depending on the cultivar. Four of the most well-known Yoshino cherry varieties are listed below:
1. The cultivar Prunus x yedoensis "Akebono" has a circular crown and pink blossoms that eventually become white.
2. Prunus x yedoensis 'Afterglow' is a cultivar that is becoming more well-known for its deep pink, long-lasting flowers.
3. The cultivar Prunus x yedoensis 'Shidare Yoshino' has white blossoms and a weeping shape.
4. The fast-growing cultivar Prunus x yedoensis "Morioka-pendula" has a severely weeping shape.
Pruning
Your cherry tree has to be pruned to create shape. The branches shouldn't be thinned to increase light penetration. Ornamental plants' bark is very delicate and susceptible to sunlight. Furthermore, trimming to allow for direct light on the trunk promotes sprout development, which is unsightly and hard to stop once it starts.
Depending on the cultivar, you might need to thin out suckers or clip the bottoms of weeping branches to clean up the area surrounding the trunk. Every year, look for weak, dead, damaged, or dying limbs on the tree and cut them off before the spring. When your tree becomes too large for you to properly execute these chores without a ladder, you should enlist the help of a licensed arborist.
Propagation
Grafting, air layering, and softwood cuttings are the three techniques for growing Yoshino cherries. For softwood cuttings to successfully root on hardwood cuttings during grafting, the cutting must be chosen at exactly the proper moment. Cherry cuttings will not root on hardwood cuttings. Due to these factors, air layering is your best choice since it is the simplest. Additionally, after you have rooted plant material, you may plant your tree and have a fully grown clone of the original tree shortly after.
You don't need a lot of equipment or supplies to air layer. You'll also need some sphagnum moss, plastic wrap, grafting tape, and a sharp tool like a grafting knife. You will air layer by:
Remove the bark from the branch down to the cambium by making two parallel incisions around it that are at least 3/8 inch thick and 2 inches apart. This will prevent your final cutting from collecting nutrients or water.
Wrap the exposed wood with wet sphagnum moss, cover it with plastic wrap, and securely tape the ends to prevent any water from leaking in or out.
Wait for a rootball to form and periodically inspect the wrapped area for evidence that roots are growing. When your new tree is established, take off the plastic, cut it below the root ball, and plant it right away.
How to Make a Tree Bloom
A blossoming tree may not flower for a variety of reasons. First of all, avoid using the tried-and-true method of fertilizing! It's possible that the fertilizer you're applying to attempt to entice some blossoms may make them reticent and direct more nutrients into the foliage rather than the flowers.
Now that you've hopefully stored the fertilizer, check at some additional (likelier) reasons.
When were the trees planted? Your tree may be too young to blossom if you just planted it. A mature tree is required for flowering. Keep in mind that a tree's reproductive system is represented by its blossoms.
How long ago was the last frost? The cold this year could have killed off any buds that were on the tree.
Does your tree receive enough sunlight or water? Yoshino cherry trees need these two qualities in order to blossom and seem their best. This is probably why you are getting some blooms but not many.
Test your soil lastly. After eliminating the three more probable reasons, examine your soil to determine if it has any deficiencies.
Typical Pests and Plant Illnesses
Constantly checking your tree for insects and illness is one of the continuing duties you will need to carry out since the Yoshino cherry is particularly susceptible to both. When you discover a pest has come in, it's a good idea to keep an eye out even if the insects often won't create too many significant problems. Aphids, scale, borers, caterpillars, and Japanese beetles are likely to attack your trees.
The illnesses that might affect your tree are more concerning, but the best course of action is to spot any early symptoms. Leaf spot and leaf curl are most prevalent on Yoshino cherries. A fungicide may be used to treat leaf spot, and the affected plant material has to be destroyed. Leaf curl must also be removed by pruning.
