Knowing what to do after a storm harms your trees is important for both personal safety and the long-term survival of your property’s landscape.
The moments immediately following a serious Maryland storm are usually chaotic. High winds, intense rain, and lightning could leave even the healthiest landscape looking like a disaster zone. Once you step outside and see limbs scattered around the lawn or a massive trunk leaning precariously, your first instinct may be to grab a chainsaw and start cleaning everything. However, knowing what to do after a storm harms your trees is important for both personal safety and the long-term survival of your property’s landscape. At Harford Tree, we specialize in rapid response and tree restoration services. We’ve seen firsthand how improper post-storm cleanup could lead to more property damage and potentially fatal accidents. Read on to learn more!
Safety is Important, the “Look Up” Rule
Before you step anywhere near a damaged tree, you have to perform a 360-degree safety sweep. The most dangerous threats are usually the ones hanging right over your head. If a tree or branch has fallen on a power line, or if the lines are sagging, don’t approach. Electricity can travel through the ground and the tree itself. Make sure to call your utility company right away. Look for any broken limbs that are still caught in the upper canopy, too. These could fall at any moment with just a small breeze. If a tree is leaning where it wasn’t in the past, the root system is compromised. These could finish falling with no warning. If the situation looks unstable, the best thing you can do is keep your pets and family inside and call for emergency tree services to help secure the site.
Avoid Any “Do-It-Yourself” Disasters
After a storm, the neighborhood is usually filled with the sound of saws. While it’s tempting to deal with the cleanup yourself, storm-damaged wood is quite predictable. Branches could be under compression or tension. Once you cut a limb that’s pinned under the weight of another, it could snap back like a giant spring, a phenomenon known as “kickback.” Professional teams like Harford Tree are trained for storm damage restoration and use specialized rigging to help release this tension safely.
Tree Care and Maintenance from Harford Tree
Ready to have the beautiful yard you have always dreamed of? Harford Tree Experts & Landscaping, Inc has been in the business for decades, providing customers with quality work and quick responses all at the right price. We service the areas of Harford County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City areas including Bel Air, Fallston, Perry Hall, Towson, Essex, Parkville, White Marsh and Middle River.
For service during business hours, reach out to us or give us a call at 410-592-7321. We offer 24/7 emergency service as well, just give us a call at 443-250-6649. For updates about our business and more informative tips, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.