Storms often come without warning and cause significant damage to your property. It damages your roofs and fences, turning your garden into a living mess. Storms are a major cause of tree-related damage. The possibility of your tree hitting the roof and fences is scary. It risks your safety and others’.
In this regard, taking the proper measures is the key. You shall immediately arrange for tree removal services in Temple to prevent fallen trees and related damage later.
Immediate Safety Comes First
The initial moments after a storm passes are critical. Before you think about a cleanup, you need to assess the danger first. Fallen branches and leaning trees pose a serious risk. What are those? Let us have a look at them first.
Inspect Your Property
You should start by assessing your property from a safe distance. You must look out for the following signs, such as:
- Hanging BranchesÂ
These branches can fall off at any time, leading to serious injury. Split or Cracked Tree Trunks
These may not be immediately visible, but they can affect the tree’s stability.
- Uprooted or Leaning Trees
Even a tree partially uprooted can pose a serious danger to your property. You need immediate tree removal services for professional evaluation.
Are you finding any signs of immediate hazards? Contact a professional rather than trying to handle a damaged tree yourself.
- Clear Fallen Trees and Large BranchesÂ
Fallen trees are a common sight after a storm. They may look dramatic today, but clear them as soon as possible. What to do when a tree has fallen into your house, car or other structures? Call a professional immediately to remove them safely.
However, you can clear smaller branches and debris from the ground on your own. Make sure to wear protective gear and use the correct tools to prevent injuries. Never try to remove a tree near power lines. They carry a deadly electrical charge, and touching them can cause further damage or injury.
Evaluate the Damage to Standing Trees
Storms leave strong-standing trees severely damaged and weakened. Therefore, you must inspect your trees for signs of the following damage:
- Split Trunks or BranchesÂ
These weaken the trees’ structure, making them more prone to future storms.
- Exposed or Damaged Roots
Uprooted trees can still be unstable even when they appear to be standing firm.
- Cracked or Hanging Branches
These pose a serious risk, and they must be removed immediately.
If the tree appears undamaged, internal issues will never be visible from outside. For large or mature trees, it is a good idea to hire a professional for tree trimming. They can assess the health and stability of your trees.
Document Everything Before You Touch Anything
Make sure you and your family members are safe. Grab your phone and start taking photos. The insurance companies need evidence to process your insurance claim efficiently. Photograph the damaged trees from various angles to show how they affect your property. Capture close-ups of the tree damage and wide shots to show the overall scene.
Make notes of the essential details about the storm. When did the storm take place? What were the weather conditions? Did you notice any problems with your trees before the storm started? These are the crucial pieces of information to help insurance adjusters understand your situation correctly. Consequently, it speeds up your insurance claim process.
Keep all your documentation in one place. Create a folder on your phone or computer specifically for the incident. This makes it easier for you to share information with the insurance companies and tree service providers.
Choose the Right Tree Removal Service
Not all tree service providers are equipped to handle emergencies. You need a reliable company like Apex, with certified experts and comprehensive insurance policies after storm damage.
In emergencies, many opportunistic operators reach out to you. They go door-to-door offering quick solutions at bargain prices. These “storm chasers” often lack two crucial things. Proper training and insurance policies. They may cause additional damage to your property and injure themselves. It makes you responsible for the accidents that took place with them. Spend more time verifying the credentials of the company you are choosing. It will save you from more headaches in the future.
Research and get quotes from at least three different companies if the situation does not require immediate attention. Compare their prices and the tree services they offer in Temple. Does the estimate include stump grinding services and cleanup? Will they remove the debris after the complete tree cleanup? A detailed tree removal estimate should be transparent about these questions.Â
Understanding the Tree Removal Process
After a storm, professional tree removal services in Temple follow a systematic approach. The crew arrives quickly and sets up the safety zone around their work area. They understand and identify your trees’ exact condition and develop their tree service plan accordingly. This planning phase is crucial as it separates the professionals from the amateurs.Â
The actual tree removal process involves several steps. The professionals need to climb, do crane work, or both, depending on your trees. Many of them use specialized rigging techniques to control how each piece falls apart. They use a systematic approach, removing small sections at a time rather than trying to remove the tree at once.
Dealing with the Insurance Claims
Most homeowners ignore that insurance policies cover professional tree removal services after a storm. They damage your home’s structure and block driveways. However, coverage limits vary widely. Some policies pay you a certain amount per tree, while others pay based on the damage to your property. Review your policy carefully. How? By calling your insurance agents to clarify your doubts regarding their policies.Â
File your insurance claim as soon as possible after the storm damage. Don’t delay for weeks, as it will affect your insurance claim process. Report the incident at the earliest. Insurance companies support you only when you act responsibly. They provide guidance about certified local contractors in your area.
Be prepared for the insurance adjusters’ visit. Have all your documentation ready, showing crucial evidence. Keep all your documents ready. It includes your photos, notes, and estimates from the tree service providers. The adjusters need to verify the tree-related damage and confirm your results after the storm. Their report will determine how much your insurance company will pay for your tree removal services.Â
Clear and Repurpose Debris
Storms leave plenty of debris behind in your garden. Starting from fallen branches to scattered leaves, use everything later on. It may feel overwhelming at first. But it is also providing an opportunity for you to repurpose your organic materials:
- Chop large tree branches for firewood
- Cut down the smaller branches and leaves into mulch for your garden’s soil.Â
- Compost organic materials to create nutrient-rich soil for future planning.Â
Remove debris to keep your property tidy. It prevents pests and diseases from spreading to healthy plants.
Restore and Replant Your Trees
Once the primary danger is over, it’s time to refocus on your garden. Check your smaller plants, shrubs, and flowerbeds for damage. You must plant uprooted trees in your garden. The broken stems need pruning to support healthy plant regrowth.
After losing a tree, you can plant a new one. You can choose to plant native species or those tolerant of high winds. They provide shade and beauty to your garden. At the same time, these new trees are more resilient to future storms.
Preventive Measures for Future Storms
Storms are always unpredictable. Thus, you need to take necessary steps to protect your garden and overall property. Here are the following steps that you must take:
- Regular Tree MaintenanceÂ
Choose tree trimming services to remove weak or overhanging branches. During the process, remove deadwood to reduce storm-related damage.
- Choose Resilient PlantsÂ
Go for plant species that are more resilient to high winds and heavy rain.
- Secure Loose ItemsÂ
Some outdoor structures, such as garden furniture, trellises,s and others need to be tightened before a storm hits.
Thus, you must follow the above steps to minimize any storm-related damage and make your property safe during severe storms.
Take Quick Action Now
After a storm, don’t wait too long to assess the damage and risk exposure later. The weakened trees cause severe damage to your property. The loose branches fall off unexpectedly. Thus, quick action ensures that your garden is safe and that damaged trees recover more effectively. You can contact Apex for reliable and trustworthy tree removal services in Temple. They have many years of experience dealing with your tree-related issues after the storm.Â
