Key Takeaways
- Look for Widow-Makers: Watch out for broken branches that are still stuck high up in the tree; they can fall at any time.
- Check the Ground: If the dirt around the base of the tree is lifting up, the tree is no longer safe.
- Don’t DIY Near Wires: Never try to cut branches that are touching or close to power lines.
- Clean Cuts Matter: If you trim a branch, make sure the cut is clean so the tree can heal without getting sick.
- Ask a Pro: A trained arborist can often save a tree that looks bad but is actually still strong.
South Tulsa gets some pretty rough thunderstorms. When the wind stops and the rain ends, the first thing most of us do is walk outside to see what happened to our yard. You might see a lot of leaves and small sticks, which is usually fine. The real problem is when the big trees, the ones that shade our homes, get hurt in ways we can’t see right away.
Checking your trees after a storm isn’t just about cleaning up the mess. It’s about making sure your home stays safe. A tree that was weakened by a storm might look okay today, but it could fall over next week when the wind picks up again. This blog will show you exactly what to look for so you can decide if your tree is safe or if it needs professional help.
Look Up: Checking the Branches
Before you walk under a tree, stand back and look at the top. You are looking for widow-makers. These are heavy branches that have snapped off but are still dangling or caught on other limbs. They are very dangerous because they can fall without any warning.
Next, look for these three things:
- Cracks in the V: Look at where the big branches meet the main trunk. If you see a deep crack or the wood looks like it’s splitting apart, that branch is likely to fall soon.
- Missing Bark: If a tree is hit by lightning, it often loses a long strip of bark from the top to the bottom. This might not kill the tree today, but it makes it very weak.
- Twisted Branches: Sometimes the wind is so strong it twists the branches until the wood inside snaps. If a branch looks like it’s hanging at a weird angle, it’s probably broken inside.
Look Down: Checking the Roots
The scariest thing after a storm is a tree that is leaning. But you need to know if the lean is new. Look at the ground at the bottom of the tree.
If you see the dirt heaving (lifting up) or if there are fresh cracks in the grass on the opposite side of the lean, the roots are pulling out of the ground. In South Tulsa, the soil can get very soft and muddy after a big rain. This makes it easy for a heavy tree to simply slide out of the earth. If you see the ground moving or roots showing, stay away from the tree and call for help immediately.
Should the Tree Stay or Go?
You can usually tell how bad the damage is by looking at how much of the green is left:
- Mostly Fine: If the tree lost less than a quarter of its branches, it will probably grow back just fine.
- Needs Help: If a few big limbs are gone but the main top part of the tree is still there, an arborist can usually prune it to make it safe again.
- Beyond Help: If the main trunk is split in half or more than half of the branches are gone, the tree is likely dying and should be removed before it falls on something.
If a storm has left your yard in a mess, you don’t have to handle it alone. In this situation it is advisable to seek assistance from a professional tree risk assessment firm in South Tulsa, OK which can get their yards back to normal quickly and safely. These assessments can evaluate the stability of your trees, identify hazardous branches, and recommend the safest course of action and minimize the risk to your home and family.
Davis Family Arbor Services, LLC have been helping South Tulsa families handling Oklahoma storm damage for decades, with 25 years of combined experience. We are a local, veteran-owned, and woman-owned business that knows exactly how to handle Oklahoma storm damage. Our team uses special equipment like cranes to safely remove dangerous trees without hurting your lawn or your house. We have a ISA-Certified Master Arborist on staff to give you the best advice, and we always give you a No-Surprise price that we quote is what you pay.
Whether it’s an emergency in the middle of the night or you just want an evaluation, we are ready to help. Davis Family Arbor Services, LLC can help you in avoiding potential accidents and ensure that your trees are healthy and secure for the seasons ahead. Call us to book your evaluation.
New Customers Discount: We also offer a 10% discount on any service over $500 or Free Stump Grinding with any tree removal to the new customers.
