Storm season is in full swing in Illinois – you need to be prepared. As a homeowner, you may be concerned about the effects on your house and lawn. Will branches fall? Will you lose power? Is your property ready to face the season? One of the most important factors to consider is your trees.
When the strong winds and rain move in, do you know what to do if your trees are damaged?
Trees with storm damage can wreak havoc on your home and your yard. Large limbs and entire trees can fall. Plus, you can be left with debris scattered across your property. You need to know what to look for, as well as the steps to take when you have trees damaged in a storm.
This article will walk you through what kind of damage you can expect this storm season, as well as what you should do if your trees become damaged in a storm. By the end, you’ll be prepared so that you can respond quickly and get reliable care for your property. Let’s begin.
What Damage Can You Expect With Storms?
Storms typically bring many weather phenomena. You will see rain, hail, wind, and lightning. You may even experience tornadoes. Unfortunately, your trees can be left vulnerable to all of these weather events. Broken branches, fallen trees, and excessive debris are common throughout storm season. Below, we have outlined some of the most common weather events that lead to storm damage for your trees.
Strong Winds
Wind is the biggest contributor to trees with storm damage. As the cold weather of winter moves out and the warm summer comes in, strong winds are common across Illinois. Wind gusts and sustained wind can both lead to broken branches and downed trees. Unfortunately, the wind can cause trees to fall on your home, vehicle, garage, shed, fence, and more.
Heavy Rain
Heavy rains may also lead to tree damage. As rain falls, it can break branches and fracture weakened trees. These trees or limbs may then fall on your property, causing destruction. In addition, long bouts of rain can oversaturate the soil, making your trees more prone to wind damage and uprooting.
Hail
Lightning
While lightning strikes are not the most common storm damage, they can cause substantial damage. Because lighting tends to strike taller objects, your trees can be particularly vulnerable. Lighting can kill your trees, start fires, and cause your trees to fall.
Winter Weather
While winter weather may be finished for this season, it’s still important to understand how snow and ice can impact your trees. Heavy snowfall and ice storms can weigh on your landscape, leading to broken branches or fallen trees. In addition, the harsh winds and sub-zero temperatures common in Illinois can lead to freeze damage, which can kill or harm your trees.
Here Are 5 Steps to Take When Your Trees Are Damaged in a Storm
Now that you understand storm damage and how weather impacts your trees, you need to know how to respond. If you find yourself facing trees with storm damage, you want to act quickly to minimize complications and restore safety to your property. In this section, we are going to explain the five steps that you should take immediately when you suspect that you have trees damaged in a storm.
1. Stay Clear of Downed Trees
The most important step is safety. You need to stay away from storm-damaged trees to mitigate any risks of personal injury. Damaged trees can fall unexpectedly, leading to serious harm. Instead, keep yourself and your household clear of any trees with storm damage. In addition, if the trees have fallen on your home and caused serious damage, you will want to find somewhere safe to stay until your home is repaired. You don’t want to be inside if there is a risk of roof collapse or other serious harm.
2. Call in a Tree Care Professional
Once everyone is safe, you need to call in a professional tree service company. It’s always best to find a certified arborist, such as our Illinois-local team at Beez Trees. A tree care expert can assess the damage and help you find the best solutions for your property. Whether it’s as simple as debris cleanup or as complicated as a roof repair, your tree company will assist you throughout the entire process.
3. Have an Inspection
You’ll need to plan for an immediate inspection of the damage. Whether the tree has fallen or is showing signs of serious damage, you want your tree service professionals at your side. They will assess the situation and determine the best way to meet your needs and restore order to your property.
4. Consider Insurance Claims
As part of the inspection, your tree service provider can help you determine insurance claim eligibility. If a tree has fallen and damaged an insured structure on your property, you will want to file an insurance claim as soon as possible. Your tree service provider can assist you with the process so that you don’t have to navigate insurance on your own.
5. Book Tree Services
Finally, you need to schedule your tree removal and storm damage cleanup services. If it’s an emergency situation, your tree company will fit you in as soon as possible. If it’s not urgent, then you may be able to schedule your storm damage cleanup in a few days. Either way, you’ll work with your tree care crew to find the time that works best. Then, your professional team will complete your services and bring you peace of mind.
It’s Always Best to Call a Professional
Many homeowners are hesitant to call in a tree company because they are concerned about costs and inconveniences. However, you shouldn’t face trees with storm damage on your own. Fallen or damaged trees can be unpredictable and impossible to manage without the proper equipment and training. Instead of trying to solve storm damage on your own, it’s vital that you call a professional tree service.
By choosing a DIY solution, you may be putting yourself, your home, or your property at risk. Damaged trees can fall onto your home or cause more destruction if not handled properly. Instead, you need a trained and experienced crew to mitigate damage and deliver trustworthy service. Additionally, if you are eligible for insurance coverage, you don’t want to attempt DIY tree removal. You need a skilled crew at your side to have your tree services covered by insurance.
In Conclusion
Overall, if you are facing wind, rain, hail, lighting, or winter weather damage, you need a licensed and insured tree contractor at your side. Keep everyone away from the damage, call your tree crew, and book an urgent inspection. Then, work with your tree contractors to determine insurance eligibility, file your claim, and plan your tree removal and storm damage cleanup. Then, you can have peace of mind that your property is safe once again.
Need Help With Storm Damage? Call Beez Trees Now for 24/7 Assistance!
If you are dealing with storm damage to your trees in Illinois, then you need Beez Trees. We offer 24/7 emergency tree removal, helping you find the solutions that best meet your needs. From heavy debris in your lawn to large trees down on your roof, we have the skilled team, trusted equipment, and professional training to deliver reliable results. We offer tree services in Champaign, Urbana, Savoy, St. Joseph, Villa Grove, and all of the surrounding areas of Illinois.
Contact us now to get immediate assistance for your trees with storm damage!
