Here in Minnesota we’re fortunate to not have to deal with some of the worst that Mother Nature can throw at us, but we do still have significant storm events. While trees are quite resilient, everything does have a breaking point. When storms come through our area, we inevitably end up dealing with broken limbs, uprooted trees, and other damage.
After a storm, our focus as arborists has to shift to disaster response. Because we possess the skills and tools to assist with clean up, we have an obligation to help. However, when we’re hit by really major storms we are forced to triage damage. We have to prioritize the most significant issues, which sometimes requires us to make hard choices.
Preventing further damage requires a creative approach.
The Immediate Aftermath
When we communicate with clients about our availability to deal with storm damage we go by this somewhat tongue-in-cheek order:
- Trees in houses.
- Trees on houses.
- Everything else.
Counted in the first category is also opening up access for other emergency responders and ensuring people are safe. Preservation of life has to be our first priority, we then shift focus to preventing further property damage. Once those two issues are addressed, we can then begin to deal with facilitating repair of property damage by removing tree debris. Finally, once we’ve addressed all risks to life, limb, and property, we can begin to deal with general clean up.
Responding to storms is a very dynamic process. As the storm passes and people come up from their basements and shelters, we can begin to assess the damage. When our phone begins to ring, we start to get a vague understanding of what has happened. As the hours tick by, we see trends in the location, type, and severity of damage. These trends allow us to focus our efforts to the hardest-hit areas, and our crews to be as efficient and safe as possible.
Trees can uproot year-round.
Organizing the Chaos
Managing our schedule after a storm is one of our hardest tasks. It’s never easy to call a client to tell them that we need to postpone their project, especially when they’ve booked work several months prior. We always do our best to honor our commitments to our clients, but also very much appreciate their understanding when we need to switch gears and focus on storm response.
The first week after a major storm event is engaging, challenging, and rewarding. Storm response is some of the most technically difficult and dangerous work we do. Ask any arborist whether they like storm damage work, and the answer will be a resounding yes. However, as the days tick by, fatigue will build. The work shifts from using cranes and equipment to remove trees from structures to picking up downed limbs from yards. The excitement wanes and it can begin to feel like a slog. Working 6 days a week, long hours, often in heat, wears on us. Eventually though, things begin to return to normal.
We Can Help
Our team of Minneapolis-based ISA Certified Arborists and Board Certified Master Arborists are standing by to assist with any issues you have with your trees. Contact us today to schedule an assessment of your trees, to anticipate future risk or respond to a storm event.
