This recent storm left a lot of us without power or internet for days. For me it was over a week. I will not get into the lament about how it is the 21st century and by now, electric and cable lines are not novel and this should have been figured out. My real sadness comes from seeing all the trees that took a beating – and worse – all the trees that will ultimately be cut down now. I know some of it is unavoidable, but much of what has been an awful trend in the past decade is avoidable. Just some thoughts to remember – or learn for the first time.

• Trees don’t make wind – they break it. There are tornados in Kansas because it is flat corn field. There are tornados on Long Island now because we have destroyed the woodlands. Trees protect us.

• Poorly pruned trees are much more likely to break, tear and twist. I’m sure I am not the only person who has noticed that PSEG – and they’re out of state, have no interest in what our landscape looks like. Crews, do a horrible job of pruning around wires that at this point in time should be mostly underground.

• Large trees, like the 60 – 80-foot oaks are essential to our environment. They are deep rooted and put the water down into the ground, helping to clean it as it goes. We live on a sand bar. We should be very conscious about where our water comes from and how it is protected. Additionally, a large oak is host to some 500 different species of insects that the birds feed on. PLANT NATIVE.

• When you – or your neighbor – decides to take down a huge tree and grind away the roots, they compromise the roots of the adjoining trees. There is a whole network of protection going on under the surface.

• Before you decide that a tree should come down, consult an arborist – not a tree guy who will be more than happy to take your money. Maybe the tree needs some pruning or nutrients.

A number of years ago I was told that my backyard maple had a gurgling root and a borer. The tree looked sad. The leaves would begin turning in August and falling in September. It would bud in the spring and then poorly leaf out. I was told I have about 2 years on the tree. As you can imagine, I didn’t like that answer. I bought some food spikes and hammered them in around the drip line. I pruned out dead or stressing branches. 8 years later, the tree is doing well.