By Allen 
If a storm moves through your area, it can cause serious damage to the trees on your lawn – or on your neighbor’s lawn! Damaged trees are a serious safety threat, especially if the tree has become unstable, or if there are large branches hanging loose and waiting to fall.
What should you do if there’s significant harm to your trees? These are the most important things you should know about storm damage and tree removal.
- What types of tree storm damage are there?
Tree damage is typically given three classifications: Mild, Moderate, or Severe.
- Mild damage is simply some torn bark, or small broken branches. There’s little to no danger, and you can remove broken branches yourself.
- Moderate damage involves the loss of large branches, or loose limbs which could be hazardous if they fall on someone.
- Severe damage is when a tree has been fully uprooted, or else the entire tree is leaning and clearly unstable.
- Will insurance cover storm damage to trees?
This will vary depending on your specific insurance policy. However, generally speaking, if the tree falls onto your home or other assets and causes damage, it’s probably covered. But you need to call your insurance company to be sure.
III. Is it safe to clean up my own tree damage?
It simply depends on the extent of the damage. Small branches hanging from the tree are no real danger, as long as you’re comfortable climbing on ladders. But the larger the branch, the more dangerous it is to remove.
Never attempt to deal with an entire unstable or fallen tree on your own. This is both dangerous and difficult. Definitely call for professional storm damage tree cleanup instead.
What should I do after a storm?
Assessing damage and dangers should be your top priority. Go around your entire yard, and inspect every tree for signs of damage. Take note of any fallen branches, or branches which are clearly close to falling off. Warn your family to stay away from any dangerous areas. You should also document everything with pictures or video, which will help with insurance claims.
What does tree pruning or removal cost?
Costs depend mostly on the size of the tree. The bigger the tree, the more it’s likely to cost. A pruning or removal job will likely be a few hundred dollars at a minimum, possibly up to a thousand for a particularly large tree. Also, sometimes removing and replacing a damaged tree is actually cheaper than pruning it.
Can I prevent storm damage to my trees?
Regular pruning and maintenance can help. If you proactively remove long/heavy branches which would be vulnerable to storms, they won’t be a problem. Regularly survey your trees for signs of damage, or branches that would be a threat if they broke off.
In short: if there’s damage to trees in your area, prioritize your own safety. Assess the risks, then call for professional storm damage tree removal if there’s any danger.