How to Assess Storm Damaged Trees

Storms cause millions of dollars worth of damage every year, and trees can take some of the worst impacts from storms and high wind speeds. How should you assess storm-damaged trees? Here’s your guide to tree assessment after storms, managing storm-damaged trees, and what you should do immediately after.

How to Assess Storm-Damaged Trees

Assess After the Storm

The first step is waiting. You must be completely sure that the storm has passed. Storms can present a real danger, and you shouldn’t approach trees at the height of any storms.

Trees can fall, or throw off debris that’s potentially deadly to anything in its path.

All types of storms can contribute to damaging conditions. This includes:

• Ice storms
• Snowstorms
• Hurricanes and Tornados
• Freezing rain
• Thunder and lightning

Assess Immediate Dangers

Assess the immediate dangers first. Falling or damaged trees can cause obstructions, or might get in the way of things like roads and power lines.

Make sure there’s no immediate danger before proceeding. If it’s necessary to do so, first clear all obstructions and secure the area.

If the tree or broken limbs are in anyone’s way, clearly tape off the area. Should you see any power lines, call professional help or report to your local city’s power authority.

Take Detailed Photographs Of The Storm Damaged Trees

Start by taking detailed photographs.

Detailed photographs can help to solve any later disputes or answer any questions about the event. Photographs are a good idea for insurance purposes, but that’s not the only reason.

Images give you an opportunity to assess the immediate potential damage without needing to approach. It also proves any immediate damage right after the event.

Compare with Earlier Photographs

If you’ve just moved into a neighborhood, it’s a good idea to take detailed photographs of your trees and surroundings. You can compare storm damage photos with earlier ones, making it easier to assess the tree’s overall state first. This can help cut down on the amount of work you’ll put into the initial assessment.

Use Google Street View

Did you forget to take earlier comparison photographs? Most people do. You can use technologies like Google Street View to compare what the tree might have looked like before the storm.

Compare this with photographs of the tree now to make damage assessment easier.

Examine Its Base

Examine the base and roots of the tree next. Storms can damage the roots, which will have an impact on the tree’s health. Damaged roots can kill trees, but can also slow down the growing process.

In severe cases, you might have to patch the tree’s trunk or its roots. This will help prevent further damage from infection, insects, or disease.

Check the Tree Upwards

Experts recommend that you check for potential storm damage moving upwards, starting with the roots.

Wait for the storm to pass completely before approaching the tree to assess any damage. Going up the tree becomes far more risky in the middle of a storm.

Checking up the tree is a gradual process, but it can help ensure you don’t miss anything.

Pay Attention to Nature

Storms can sometimes throw animals right out of their nest, causing displacement and potential chaos. Remember that you might find lost animals while cleaning up broken branches or torn bark after a storm. In most cases, experts can rehabilitate these animals with the right advice and care.

Have a local vet on standby: you might need to get in touch after storms have damaged habitats and might have left animals behind.

Document Possible Storm-Damaged Trees

Create a checklist that lists every potential thing you’ve noticed, and document any possible damage to your trees. Photographs and video footage can give you a clearer picture of the damage to the tree and what you can do to care for it.

Call A Professional Arborist

Resist the urge to take on this task yourself. The International Society of Arboriculture promotes the professional practice of arboriculture through research, technology, and education. Local ISA-certified arborists have the proper skills and equipment needed to handle large trees safely.

A certified arborist be able to handle the following:

• Assess the storm-damaged trees
• Safe tree removal
• Removal of damaged major limbs
• Properly prune weakly attached branches
• Help determine what actions should be taken

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