Severe storm damage is nothing new for the Pacific NW. While we can’t predict the weather, the experts are saying that winter 2023-2024 is going to be an El Nino year which usually means warmer than normal temps.
Some are predicting more snowfall in the mountains but less for the lower elevations though any amount of snow, rain and/or wind can wreak havoc on your trees. Here’s tips for safely assessing storm damage on your Seattle or North Bend property.
Potential storm damage
Early fall can be especially dangerous as many trees have not lost their leaves yet, thus creating extra resistance in the crown during strong winds. This, coupled with heavy rains that soften the soil, can make even healthy trees topple.
In higher elevations, heavy snow and ice are often responsible for bringing down limbs and power lines. If even one mature tree falls, it can cause significant damage to your home or vehicles. Responding quickly and safely after a storm is possible if you take precautions.
Safety precautions
Firstly, make sure you are being safe when assessing any damage. For example, downed trees and branches may have come into contact with power lines or be close to downed power lines. You should stay away so you don’t get hurt and call your power company right away.
Removing trees and/or limbs near power lines or structures requires care and knowledge. Many on the Eastside Tree Works staff are Line Clearance Certified, which means they have completed training in proper protocols and procedures for working safely near energized lines as well as related areas.
Broken limbs sometimes get stuck in the tree or may be dangling, in which case they can fall at any time, and you don’t want to be underneath when that happens. If a tree or branches are under tension, they often react unexpectedly when cut. As professionals, we know how to safely deal with this type of situation.
Assess the damage
When evaluating your trees, ask yourself the following questions.
- Is the trunk and major limbs unbroken?
- Is at least 50% of the tree’s branches still intact?
If the answer to both is yes, then there’s a good chance the tree will recover. You should, however, contact an ISA Certified Arborist for a professional assessment as there may be other issues not readily apparent.
Resist the urge to do it yourself
Large limbs can easily cause injury, especially if they are dangling overhead. While you may be tempted to do cleanup yourself, is it worth risking injury or causing further damage to save a little money?
In addition, you probably don’t have the proper equipment (such as a chainsaw) and lack the experience necessary to use said equipment safely. Best to let a professional arborist do the cleanup.
Why hire an ISA Certified Arborist?
- They have the knowledge, skill and equipment needed to efficiently and safely remove and/or prune damaged trees.
- Many arborists have TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) & are trained to identify hazardous trees and procedures to deal with them.
- If the tree can be saved, any pruning is best done by a qualified professional as improper pruning may result in damage.
The truth of the matter is that it’s often hard to tell the extent of the damage unless you’re a professional as there may be underlying or hidden issues that only a skilled arborist can spot.
Ounce of prevention
We may sound like a broken record, but the best way to prevent storm-related damage is with regular tree maintenance services like these.
- Inspections by Certified Arborist to identify branch, trunk, or root defects & procedures to remedy them.
- Preventative pruning to remove dead, dying or diseased branches that are weaker and prone to breaking.
- Correcting problems caused by past improper care practices (like topping) to make tree stronger again.
- Structural pruning on young trees helps with their form and makes them stronger as they grow.
Free no-obligation estimates
If your Seattle or North Bend property has severe storm damage, contact Eastside Tree Works for your free, no-obligation estimate. We’ll quickly and efficiently remove broken branches and debris so you can return to life as normal.
