(NOTE This blog had a video https://www.protreeservice.com/tree-service-chicago/leave-those-storm-damaged-trees-in-the-hands-of-a-professional/)
It’s a scary sight to watch your tree get pounded by a bad storm. But once the skies have cleared, chances are that you’ve got a big mess ahead of you to clean up. Tree care experts would agree that some of the most difficult and dangerous trees to cut are ones that have been damaged by storms. In this blog post, we will detail what steps you should take and the importance of contacting a reliable tree company in these situations.
Storm-damaged trees are unpredictable due to the amount of compression and tension forces on certain parts under pressure. Therefore, it’s imperative that cuts be made correctly in order to avoid possible injury. Your trees may be completely uprooted, partially uprooted, severely tipped, or broken. Read below to learn what cutting method is appropriate for each scenario.
- Partially uprooted and severely tipped trees – Many homeowners don’t realize the dangers of the pressure being exerted on the tree’s trunk and what happens when the remaining root mass slams back down once the trunk is cut. The best practice is to avoid making cuts above your shoulder height.
- Uprooted trees lying on the ground – Dangerous circumstances can result in this situation. For one, the remaining root mass could fall forward and on top of the saw operator. Secondly, the root mass and remaining trunk could whip upright and back into the ground once a cut is made. It’s advised to never stand on or straddle the trunk of an uprooted tree while making these cuts.
- Broken trees – Some storm-damaged trees will have broken off but still remain attached to the trunk. Broken trees may be the most difficult to assess in that they respond unpredictably, even when the proper plan has been executed. The greatest risk with broken trees is if the broken portion unexpectedly detaches. If the broken portion exerts pressure against the trunk, it could lead to the tree falling in the wrong direction while cutting.
- Broken trees with top on the ground – Start out removing the limbs supporting the broken portion. Then cut back as high as can safely be reached while staying below shoulder height. Be sure to cut slowly and watch how the tree responds. If the trunk begins to shift or roll, be ready to move.
- Broken trees with hung up top – Dealing with these trees puts the cutter at great risk since it usually requires working under the hung up top and involves two separate falling tree sections in the trunk and top of the tree.
Simply put, storm-damaged trees should be handled by only the most skilled and experienced tree service. At Pro Tree Service, we understand that it can be costly to hire a tree company to clean up after a bad storm. That’s why we provide the most competitive rates through our Best Price Guarantee. It’s our promise that we mill match or beat any reasonable, written estimate by 10 percent.
Don’t try tackling storm-damaged trees on your own and risk significant injury. Turn to Pro Tree Service, an experienced tree care company that’s been serving Chicago and surrounding areas since 1989.