Dealing with fallen, damaged trees
Tips for dealing with power outages
Here are some safety tips for dealing with power outages from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Detroit Free Press
In the middle of tornado season, severe summer storms are not uncommon in southeast Michigan.
But even some of the less severe storms can cause expensive damage: for example, long power outages, shattered windshields, dented cars and smashed roofs when heavy storms and aggressive winds cause trees to fall.
In the event of a leaf storm disaster, here’s how to remove fallen trees and deal with other storm-related tree damage.
We end the debate, Michigan: What temperature do you set your AC thermostat to?
What do I do if my tree was damaged in a storm?
To restore power, utility companies will remove tree debris that has come into contact with power lines, but other tree damage is the responsibility of the homeowner.
If a tree falls during a storm, assess the damage, avoiding downed power lines within at least 25 feet. Call a professional tree removal service as soon as possible. Then contact your insurance company to find out about possible damage.
According to the Arbor Day Foundation, damaged but still standing trees after a storm need to be treated immediately if they are leaning against power lines, buildings or other trees, if other utilities or buildings are in danger of a tree falling, or if a chainsaw is needed to treat the tree. If the tree does not pose an immediate threat, you may wait days or even weeks to find a solution.
However, it is best to hire a professional arborist to care for your tree rather than the many scammers who claim to be “tree specialists” and show up on your porch after a storm offering their services. You can search for a professional arborist in your area here in the International Society of Arboriculture’s online directory.
More: Storms cause tornado in Livonia and damage gas station in Farmington Hills
How do I know if a door knocker is a scammer?
To determine if one of the tree care specialists going door to door is a scammer, the Arbor Day Foundation recommends checking these five things:
- A reputable website, even better if the established company has community reviews.
- Proof of permanent employment with a company or as a freelancer.
- Current insurance certificates for property damage, personal liability and work accident insurance.
- Membership in a professional association for arborists, such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the National Arborist Association (NAA) or the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA).
- A price, including collection and cleaning, that is comparable to the prices of the competition.
What if I want to remove broken branches myself?
Although a professional arborist is preferable due to their experience with safer practices and knowledge of whether or not a tree can be saved, you can also do some branch removal work yourself. Here are some of the do-it-yourself tips for tree removal work, according to the Arbor Day Foundation.
- Remove the jagged remains of broken branches where they meet larger branches to prevent further decay.
- Use a chisel or sharp knife to smooth edges where the bark may have separated from the base.
- Avoid “topping” a tree by cutting the main branches back to a blunt stub, as this destroys the tree’s natural shape and weakens it, making it more vulnerable to damage in future storms.
- Be aware of safety hazards such as downed power or utility lines, low-voltage telephone and cable lines, fence wires, and broken or dangling tree branches.
- If removing branches requires climbing at heights, working overhead with a chainsaw, or removing large branches, leave it to the professionals.
More: What you need to know about the EF scale for measuring tornadoes (freep.com)
How do I know if a tree can be saved or not?
Trees that have sustained only minor damage, such as broken branches, can usually be saved with proper salvage techniques. However, trees that have lost too many branches or too much foliage after a storm, or whose trunks have split, are beyond saving and could even pose an additional hazard during a future storm.
Check out the Arbor Day Foundation’s visual guide to tree rescue or contact a professional arborist to determine if a storm-damaged tree can be saved or if it needs to be removed entirely.
How can I prevent major damage in the future?
- Keep your trees clean and trimmed.
- Before storm and tornado season begins, inspect trees for rot, previous damage, or anything else that could affect their stability.
- Look for broken, dead or uneven branches that could give way in a storm.
- Make sure your tree has not grown into overhead power lines to avoid power outages and other damage.
- Make sure that the branches of trees near or above sidewalks and roads are trimmed so that they are not visible to pedestrians and motorists.
