Tag - Best Tree Care

Storm Damage: What to Do: A Step-by-Step Plan

Storm Damage is stressful. Waking up to a tree down in your front yard, a limb on your house or your car is just not the way anyone wants to start their day. amiright? 

Tis the season for heavy, wet snow that breaks your tree limbs and causes that unwelcomed headache. How should you handle it and what can you do to prevent it?

Prevention is always key to preventing these spring storm problems. 

  1. Always ensure you are keeping your trees happy and healthy by trimming them when necessary, removing them when they need removal, or treating them before they are infested.
    1. When trees are healthy they are less likely to snap under the pressure of heavy spring snow.
  2. We are always available to access the health of your trees and make any suggestions to ensure they stay that way.

When the snow comes.

  1. Check to make sure the tree is safe and clear of all utility lines prior to removing snow. If they are laying on a power line: DO NOT TOUCH OR TRY AND MOVE IT. CALL EXCEL ENERGY.
  2. If the tree is clear of utility lines, use a broom to remove as much snow as possible from branches by brushing off or gently shaking. Do not bang broom on tree limbs as this could cause the limb to break.
  3. Do not attempt to climb a tree or use a ladder to reach higher limbs, this is dangerous and will cause bigger problems than just the tree being hurt!
  4. If the tree is between the street and the sidewalk on your street – call your city official as this is more likely their responsibility.
  5. If your limb has landed on your house, fence, car, shed, another tree DO NOT attempt to move them.
    1.  Take photos of the damage to the best of your ability.
    2. Call you insurance and report the damage.
    3. Call Colorado Trees or fill out the work request form and we will get you on the schedule asap. Be sure to include “storm damage” in your details so we can mark as urgent.
    4. Do not attempt to move (if small enough off car or fence etc) until you are told to do so by your adjuster.
  6. Do not attempt to remove broken branches or trees by yourself.
    1. If the job requires running a chainsaw overhead, sawing from a ladder or removing large branches or entire trees, contact an insured, ISA- Certified arborist like Colorado Trees. We have multiple certified arborists on staff, are licensed, insured and we prioritize safety and client satisfcation.
    2. PLUS for every tree or trim or remove this year we are planting one tree with our partner One Tree Planted in burn areas in Colorado to reforest.

 

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