Winter Storm Response

Winter storms can leave behind more than just cold temperatures and slippery sidewalks. High winds, heavy rain, ice, and sudden temperature swings often impact trees in ways that aren’t immediately obvious. After a storm passes, many homeowners are left wondering if the storm damage warrants immediate response.

At New Urban Forestry, we believe storm response should be centered on people’s safety and peace of mind. Of course, not every storm-related tree issue requires an emergency response—but knowing the difference can help to reduce stress if it’s not warranted.

What Is a Tree Emergency?

Tree related emergencies are situations where there is an immediate risk to people, structures, or critical access areas. These scenarios are ones that we prioritize and here are some examples that would fall under that category:

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• Whole trees or large limbs that have fallen onto homes, vehicles, or structures.
• Broken limbs hanging over walkways, driveways, or entrances.
• Trees undergoing failure as indicated by a sudden lean, cracks in the soil and exposed roots.

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Scenarios such as these can pose serious risks and can oftentimes worsen if left unattended. A prompt call to our team of Certified Arborists is the first step towards reducing the likelihood of additional damage and restoring safe access to your property.

What May Be Able to Wait Until After a Winter Storm

Not all tree related storm damage is urgent. Some issues may look concerning but do not require immediate action. Understanding what can wait allows for better planning on the part of the homeowner and helps to avoids rushed decisions.Non-emergency scenarios may include:

• Small broken branches in the tree canopy that would not impact people, pets or a structure when they fall.
• Trees that are undergoing failure but will not impact people, pets or structures when they fall.
• Trees or limbs lying in one's lawn or landscape
• Trees or limbs that are blocking a parking area or a secondary driveway.

Scenarios such as these are oftentimes best handled through a scheduled appointment after the rush of the initial storm response concludes and weather conditions improve.

If You Don’t Know, We Can Help!

At New Urban Forestry, we can help property owners understand the condition of their trees, prioritize safety, and create a plan that fits their needs and timeline. If it’s not obvious whether a storm related tree damage scenario warrants an emergency response, we can help you differentiate between the two.

Please don’t hesitate to call or email us if you or your tree is on the fence. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is made up of Certified Arborists that are uniquely qualified to ascertain an appropriate response and facilitate a plan.  Stay warm, stay safe and remember, Athens is better with trees and trees are better with New Urban Forestry.