A local arborist has some dos and don'ts for North Texans who have trees impacted by this week's ice storm.
Steve Houser with Wylie-based Arborilogical Services said homeowners should let the ice melt from their trees and should not try to shake the ice off of limbs.
"In the past, I've heard of people going out with a pole or something to try to knock the ice off of limbs," Houser said. "Not ideal, because more limbs can fall in the future, especially if you're standing under it with a stick, trying to knock the ice off."
Houser pointed out that one gallon of water weighs about eight pounds.
"The weight of the ice can add up to 30 times more stress on the tree itself or 30 times the weight of the actual limb," had said. "Which is why you see them drooping over and drooping down."
Once the ice melts from the trees, Houser said residents will want to inspect them.
"Look at the trunks (and) look at the limbs themselves for potential cracks -- and broken limbs, of course, but cracks that can later cause a limb to fail and break," Houser said.
There are two very important "don'ts" that Houser stressed.
"If you have to use a chainsaw without the training, I wouldn't advise it," he said. "If you need a ladder to get up into the tree, you're better off to call a professional tree climber."
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