Emergency Tree Service

When Do You Need Emergency Tree Service?

Nobody likes to deal with an emergency, so we do our best to be prepared. When it comes to your trees, however, there is only so much preparation possible. Even if you have your trees trimmed regularly and assessed by licensed arborists to be sure that they are healthy and able to withstand a storm, emergency tree services may still someday be necessary.

If you have a downed tree or a broken branch on your property, especially if it is threatening your house or car, you have a serious situation on your hands. Even if a fallen tree hasn't landed on anything important, the debris that it leaves behind may be more than you can deal with on your own. Here is what you need to know about emergency tree services and what to think about before an emergency situation occurs.

Kinnucan Tree Experts - emergency tree service is needed when a tree has fallen on a house or car.

What Are Your Tree Emergencies?

Most of the time, tree care is anything but emergent. Having a nuisance tree removed from your property or having a regular trim performed is a routine part of your landscaping, and often a chore that can be put off. However, when a tree unexpectedly falls, large branches break, or when a fallen branch or tree leaves significant debris in your yard, you may suddenly have a need for emergency tree service.

Emergency Tree Removal

If a tree on your property has been damaged by a storm, you may need emergency tree removal services. You may be surprised by how much a tree can recover from storm damage. Even if up to half of a tree's canopy is damaged, the tree may be able to recover. Therefore, only remove the tree if an arborist agrees that it is necessary.

Not every emergency situation is because of safety issues. If you have suddenly decided to sell or rent out your home, you may have a limited window in which to have an unsightly tree removed. You need to know that you can call for an emergency tree removal service that will be able to take care of the problem tree within your deadline.

If you haven't had an arborist out to look at your trees in some time, you may not realize that a tree is becoming weak or sick. When suddenly you notice that most of the tree has died or that it is hollow, you need to get that tree out as soon as possible, before it falls or drops branches.

Storm Damaged Trees

Perhaps the most common cause of tree emergencies is storm damage. Even very healthy and well-maintained trees can fall victim to strong winds and rains. Long periods of soggy ground can cause roots to pull up, making a tree tilt or even fall. Powerful wind or a strike of lightning can crack branches or split a tree.

Always carefully assess the trees on your property after a storm. Branches can be broken and hanging by a thread. Such branches are tremendous hazards just waiting to fall on your family or property at an unexpected time.

If you notice a broken branch or a weakened trunk, call for emergency tree storm damage help immediately. Even if a branch is not obviously hanging or the split in a tree will not immediately result in a tree falling, it is wise to have an arborist come out to assess the damage. They know whether a branch or tree will be able to survive or whether it is permanently weakened.

Debris Removal

While it is very common for trees and branches to be stuck somewhere between breaking and falling, often trees and branches come down completely. It is smart to remove broken branches and fallen trees as quickly as possible.

You'll be amazed by how soon the wood dies and begins to rot, attracting disease and insects to your property. As soon as you realize that you have a downed branch or tree which you are not able to remove yourself call for emergency tree removal services.

Kinnucan Tree Experts - emergency tree service is needed when a tree has storm damage.

What to Look for in Emergency Tree Service

Here is what you should think about when choosing emergency tree services to meet your needs, whether you need emergency tree removal, help with storm-damaged trees or debris removal.

Experience

Perhaps the most important part of choosing emergency tree services is finding arborists with significant experience. All aspects of tree care require experience. An incorrect prune can negatively affect the development of a tree for life. However, when the situation is an emergency, experience is even more essential.

The USDA emphasizes the need for skilled arborists to assess whether trees need to be removed or not. After Hurricane Katrina, State Forestry Agencies were frustrated that viable trees were cut down while high-risk trees were left standing. Consequentially, they developed a task force of arborists to help in future emergency situations.

You need an arborist who can assess a tree or branch and decide whether it needs to be removed or can be saved. An experienced arborist knows just how to cut around a damaged limb so as to inflict as little additional damage on the tree as possible.

Ideally, your emergency tree service company will also be your regular tree service company. This way, your arborist will already know your trees and have familiarity with them from pruning and trimming in the past. If you are choosing a new company for emergency tree services, be sure to choose a company that is accredited and has significant experience.

Professional Equipment

Removing downed trees or broken branches requires specialized equipment. It can be challenging to reach the height and angle necessary to remove a broken branch without damaging your property or the rest of the tree. The company that you choose should have a crane that allows them to get to any part of a tree safely without having to climb the tree.

To give you the best chance of saving a tree or branch that you don't want to lose, choose a company that is experienced in cabling. Cabling can be an incredibly effective way to prevent weak branches or trees from falling while they heal from damage. If an arborist is unsure whether a given branch or tree will fall or not, cabling can keep it from falling altogether or ensure that if it does fall it falls in a safe direction.

Availability

After a storm, damaged trees are everywhere. It can be challenging to find a qualified and available arborist to help you. You need a company that can pool resources, work longer hours, or otherwise do what it takes in order to be there for you.

If you have a regular arborist that you use for trimming and pruning, talk to them about what would happen if there was a serious storm in your area. Can you count on them to be there for you? In an emergency, respected arborists in your area will respond more rapidly to the most serious storm damage needs and work their way back to those clients who can afford to wait a little longer.

Don't be upset if you aren’t first on the list, but do be confident that your emergency tree service needs are being assessed properly and will be addressed in a timely manner. Be wary of unscrupulous businessmen who may try to take advantage of your emergency need and keep you waiting longer than necessary or charge more than is appropriate.

FAQ

Kinnucan Tree Experts - emergency tree service is needed when broken branches have fallen on your house.

Q: What should I do if see a damaged branch?

If you see a damaged branch, whether a storm has recently passed through or not, it is essential to make everyone in the area aware of the potential danger and clear people and vehicles from under the branch. Consider the length and width of the branch to determine where it would impact if it fell and clear that area. Remember that large, heavy branches can break on impact and damage the surrounding area as well as where they land.

If the branch belongs to a neighbor or business that isn't yours, you should tell the homeowner or business. If the damaged branch is on your property, make sure that no one will be under it while you arrange for emergency tree services. It may be necessary to place caution tape around the area to keep people away.

Q: How can I prevent the need for emergency tree services?

Trees and branches fall. There is nothing you can do to completely prevent the possibility of a tree or branch falling and damaging your property. That said, there are things you can do in the maintenance of your trees and property to make it as unlikely as possible for you to need emergency tree services.

Prune and trim regularly. Trees that are regularly trimmed and pruned are more likely to develop strong branches that are resistant to breaking. Any weak or damaged branches will be eliminated. A properly pruned tree will develop a stronger trunk and sturdier branches that will be less likely to fall.
Cable branches or trees that would do significant damage. A majestic tree growing next to your home with branches sweeping over the roof is beautiful and can assist with insulation by reducing the heat that lands on your roof. However, a large branch falling on your home can do serious damage. Have any very large branches that would be hugely damaging if they fell cabled to prevent the possibility of serious damage.
Remove risky trees. If there is a tree on your property that is getting older or is diseased, it is best to remove it before it has a chance to fall. It can be hard to make the decision to cut down a beautiful old tree, but if arborists agree that it is becoming less strong, this might be a necessary decision for you.