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Who Should Handle Storm Damaged Trees in West Virginia?

Michael Conell • February 28, 2021

Leave Storm-related Tree Work to Professionals

 “What’s this? Another tree/branch/large shrub in my yard that wasn’t there before the storm? I better gas up my brother’s old chain saw and go cut it up.”

Stop! Just don’t.

If you live in West Virginia, you know places like Martinsburg, Shepherdstown, Charles Town and Harpers Ferry can experience intense storms. In the blink of an eye, another storm has brought distress into your yard in the form of large branches and even entire trees that have broken and fallen into your world view. Before you dig out your brother’s old chain saw, the first question should be, “Am I capable of removing this large tree/limb myself or should I seek professional help?” Major tree-damage cleanup will undoubtedly require the use of a chain saw and climbing equipment. Unless you are experienced in the use of such equipment and comfortable working off the ground, it would be best to have the work performed by a competent professional. 

Wind places loads on trees, including trunks, branches and roots, leading to higher stress. The varying lengths and sizes of tree branches tend to dampen the overall effects of wind; however, as wind speeds increase, the loads placed on stress points within the tree increase exponentially. When the loads exceed trunk, branch or root strength, various types of failures occur. Only trained professionals like Viking Tree Service LLC should handle storm-damaged tree removal.
 

But my brother’s chain saw is right here – it wouldn’t take me long at all!

It might be tempting to get out there with your brother’s old chain saw and do the work yourself. And this is where so many homeowners get into trouble. Run an internet search for videos of “tree cutting gone wrong” to see just what can happen.

I’ve used a chain saw before to cut up an old fence. What could possibly go wrong if I cut up this giant tree branch in my yard?

Professionally trained tree workers have to know what to look out for. Do you? 


• There could be overhead and/or nearby electrical wires that create potential hazards and limit the options for tree cutting. Torn, hanging limbs overhead could make it extremely dangerous to cut downed limbs underneath them.


• Most chain saw work on large limbs or trees requires the experience of a trained operator to prevent injuries. Wood under tension (one or both ends of the fallen tree or branch pinned under other branches or debris) can have different types of binds at different places.

Releasing that tension with chain saw cuts is extremely dangerous and can seriously, or fatally, harm the chain saw operator. 


• Uprooted root plates or root balls are unpredictable. Cutting the trunk of a fallen tree from an uprooted plate releases the pressure holding the root plate. The roots are still anchored and may have enough tension that they will pull the stump and root ball back into the hole. It could suddenly sit back into the root hole, trapping anything nearby underneath it.

 

• Slope and uneven footing surfaces are dangerous while operating a chain saw.


• Watch that bar tip! Cutting branches on the ground can cause you to bury the saw bar in the dirt or hit hidden obstacles, causing chain saw kickback.


• Many homeowners injured doing their own tree work were working alone at the time, significantly lengthening emergency response time and hospital stays. Always have at least one other person work with you. In case you get trapped or injured, there’s someone to call for help.



Removing large, fallen trees should always be done by an experienced professional.

Find a professional

A professional arborist can determine the best way to accomplish the task at hand, and has the experience and proper equipment to do the job. And in doing so, he or she just may prevent an injury or even save a life. 

tree service worker cutting storm damaged trees

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Homeowner Tree Care Accident Prevention in West Virginia

By Michael Conell • November 11, 2020
The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) conducted an analysis of 62 civilian tree care-related accidents reported by the media from January 2017 to June 2018. TCIA is a trade association that promotes professional tree care and discourages homeowners from taking unnecessary risks caring for their trees themselves. While these numbers are not representative of all – or even most – tree care accidents involving non-professionals, they provide insight into the types of hazards homeowners are likely to encounter while attempting tree work. The findings were grim: Forty-one of the accidents (66 percent) were fatal. “Homeowners may not realize how dangerous tree work can be, and how much they’re risking by taking the ‘do-it-yourself’ approach,” says Peter Gerstenberger, senior advisor for safety, standards and compliance for TCIA. “Lack of training, equipment or situational awareness undoubtedly contributed to these incidents, which could have been avoided by hiring a professional tree care company.”
tree care worker moving storm damaged tree trunk

Cleaning Up Storm Damaged Trees in WV

By Michael Conell • October 18, 2020
What’s your neighbor’s tree doing sitting on your shed? High winds, ice and snow put tremendous pressure on trees growing near houses or power lines. With winter storms passing through the area, you may see damage to your landscape, including broken tree trunks and branches all over your (or your neighbor’s) property. “Storm cleanup is often when many property owners crank up their first chain saw,” notes Tchukki Andersen, BCMA, CTSP* and staff arborist for the Tree Care Industry Association . “And, not surprisingly, they sometimes hurt themselves. Untrained property owners often attempt to remove large broken tree limbs from their property. Many of these accounts end unfavorably, often with serious injuries or even death. For homeowners thinking of handling post-storm work themselves, here’s a primer on safe tree and brush removal:
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