A storm has been and gone, but your yard is a mess? You may be looking at a roof with a cracked limb over it and trying to assess the extent of it. Or perhaps you are not sure which of your trees could be brought down by a strong gust.
Folks in the Birmingham area will recognize the dilemma. For 25 years we have put our name to it as Gray’s Tree Service, dealing with the aftermath for homeowners and businesses in central Alabama. The Better Business Bureau gives us an A+ rating and we are fully licensed and insured, as well as locally owned. There is no need to wonder if you have storm damage; give us a ring at (205) 308-9920.
The kind of thunderstorms that come through Alabama do not let up. From the spring severity to summer’s downpours, they put our trees through it. An informed eye after the fact can mean the difference between a costly repair and protecting your family and property. Here are some of the issues we come across.
Broken and Hanging Limbs
You will see your fair share of broken branches, the most conspicuous form of damage. Yet some limbs make a clean fall while others remain in the canopy, supported by a tangle of smaller ones or a bit of bark. We have more concern for those hanging “widowmakers.” They have a way of coming down on the one spot you would not want them to, and without so much as a warning, long after the storm is done.
Split Trunks and Cracked Forks
Where a trunk divides into two or more stems, high winds exert their stress. A crack in the fork leaves the tree in an unstable condition. It is a fact that a split trunk will not mend itself; a tree may appear to be standing all right until the next storm takes it out.
Look for any of these in the aftermath:
- Bark bulging or peeling about a split
- A fresh gap at the union of a branch
- The tree has a new lean to it
- A crack you can see in the trunk
- One side of the tree is leaning off from the other
Uprooted and Leaning Trees
Our clay soil in Alabama is apt to hold water. Saturated ground during a hard rain and a root system, no matter how sound, can let go. The tree will tip. A sudden change in the angle of a tree should be considered an emergency. If there is heaving of the soil or roots being pulled up, consider it urgent; it is only a matter of time before it falls.
Things You Cannot See from the Ground
This is where one is caught unawares. From the vantage of your driveway there is no telling what is going on up in the canopy. Stress fractures and partial breaks can be hidden in plain sight. That is why an inspection by a pro is in order. A healthy looking tree from below can be in the process of failing above. We can put an end to the possibility of a limb ending up on your roof.
Structures and Power Lines
Get a big tree or limb down near the house and it is a complicated business. Do not attempt to deal with a tree in power lines, leave that to us and the utility company. With a crane we can remove the hazardous parts of a tree by lifting them clear rather than dropping them on your landscaping or fence.
There is no reason to wait
One might be inclined to let the cleanup go, but the elements and gravity will not stop working on a compromised trunk or limb. And another thunderstorm is never far behind.
We are on hand around the clock for Alabaster, Bessemer, Birmingham, Brantleyville, Homewood, Hoover, Hueytown, McCalla, Pelham, Trussville and beyond. Storms do not observe business hours. We provide free estimates so there are no surprises when work commences.
Let the experience of 25 years put your mind at ease and get your property in order. Call Gray’s Tree Service at (205) 308-9920.
