How to Check Your Trees for Damage After a Storm

Storms of any kind can wreak havoc along their path. After assessing any damage to your home, it's important to assess the damage done to trees around the property.

When to Assess Your Trees

Of course, your family and home are the most important belongings to consider after a storm. When life threatening situations have been resolved and it is safe to be outside, only then should you walk around and survey the damage.

Numerous damages may be covered or at least partially covered by your homeowners insurance. Many times an adjuster must survey the damage before repairs are made, so don't forget to contact your insurance agent immediately after storm damage occurs.

What to Look For

Broken branches and twigs on the ground are easy to see and remove. First concern should be the areas around the home and access paths (i.e. driveway, parking area). NEVER touch branches that have come in contact or are surrounded by power lines. Because the liveliness of a power line is questionable and extremely dangerous, always call a professional to take care of the situation.

While walking around surveying the damage at eye level and on the ground, it's imperative to remember to look up into the trees to observe the damage above your head that could result in future injury or harm. Remove any limbs that have been damaged and pose a threat to the tree or structures around it, and prune branches that have broken but are still attached to the tree.

When to Save a Tree

Trees are necessary to the natural ecosystem. You want to save trees whenever possible. Time is on your side, so use it to seriously contemplate the choice to cut down a tree. A mature, sturdy tree can recuperate despite major limb damage. The roots and crown are two areas to observe; if roots are not visible (still solid in the ground) and less than 50% of the crown remains intact, preservation is likely.

When to Cut Down a Tree

Trees that have been severely damaged should be considered for removal. Split trunks and exposed roots are problems that can't be fixed and can present impending danger.

Cutting off the top part of a tree (topping) may seem a logical solution to save the tree as a whole, but this should never be done. Topping trees weakens them and exposes them in a way that can subject them to disease and insects, as well as more damage in future storms.

A professional Arborist or tree care specialist should be consulted for major tree removal and assessment. Don't take on more than your skill level permits; know your limitations.

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