While your trees can withstand a lot without toppling over, strong winds can still knock them down. Whenever this happens, it can thrust your household into chaos. Fortunately, knowing what steps to take beforehand can help.
Read on as we share a guide on how to handle fallen trees after a storm, highlighting the importance of professional tree services in Nash, TX.
What To Do When a Storm Knocks Your Tree Down
Has a recent storm knocked down your tree? We understand how quickly you want to return to normalcy. However, it’s vital that you take the right steps to avoid worsening the situation.
Here’s what you should do when handling a fallen tree.
Safety First
Safety should always be a top priority, so remember to keep your distance. Bear in mind that your fallen tree is extremely unstable and can move unexpectedly. We recommend staying at least 25 feet away, especially if the tree is near structures, utilities, or downed power lines.
Alert the Relevant Authorities
Notify the relevant authorities of your current situation. For instance, one of the first people to call should be your gas and power company to secure your gas and power lines.
Assess Potential Risks
Part of knowing how to handle fallen trees after a storm is learning how to conduct a storm damage assessment to identify potential risks. While doing so, try to answer the following questions:
- How close is the fallen tree to power lines?
- Is the tree stable?
- How bad is the damage?
- Can you save the tree?
Take Pictures of the Damage
Documenting the damage will come in handy if you need to file an insurance claim. While your insurance may not cover the fallen tree itself, it will likely cover the costs if the tree fell on a structure, such as a fence, shed, garage, car, or house.
Call a Certified Arborist
Having a certified arborist by your side will help you know how to handle fallen trees after a storm. They’ll evaluate your situation, first determining the tree’s salvageability.
If the tree is beyond saving, they’ll ensure effective tree removal. Some even provide fallen tree cleanup, guaranteeing safe trunk and branch disposal.
How To Choose the Right Tree Service Provider
It’s quite common for individuals to approach you after a storm and offer to remove your fallen tree. Obviously, you want to take care of the issue quickly. However, as tempting as this offer sounds, it’s far from ideal.
In most cases, it’s impossible to tell whether those individuals have the credentials needed to take on such a vital task. To ensure your safety (and theirs), we recommend only working with a reputable tree service.
How can you make sure you hire the right company? Consider the following factors:
- Qualifications: Always verify that the company holds the necessary state and local licenses.
- Expertise: Inquire about their training and experience in handling fallen trees.
- Insurance: Do they have insurance to cover possible accidents or damage?
- Service scope: What do their emergency services cover? Will they also take care of the trunk and branch disposal, or does that service come separately?
Reliable Emergency Tree Services in Nash, TX
While knowing how to handle fallen trees after a storm is crucial, it also helps to have a reliable team of specialists you can turn to.
Trust our emergency storm damage cleanup services to quickly and safely restore your home to its original condition. Call Hawkins Tree and Landscaping at 870-330-9912 to get your free estimate.
We can also offer preventive solutions if your tree’s leaning, before it falls.