Tag extreme weather

The recent storm activity has caused widespread damage in our community. When there is storm damage, we are often asked if insurance might cover damage caused by trees or the trees themselves. While we can’t predict what your particular insurer or policy covers, we reached out to Josh Jones with CoVerica to answer some common questions*. 

* – The information below is mainly from the Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel, and may not be applicable in other states or to your situation. Contact your insurance agent or carrier for answers to your specific questions.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tree Care?

Homeowners policies generally do NOT cover tree care. However, some carriers do offer coverage to replace or repair trees, shrubs, plants, and lawns after a covered loss.

My Tree Blew Over, Does Insurance Cover Removal?

Most carriers will only pay up $1,000 to remove a fallen tree, and only if the tree is blocking your driveway. If a tree damages a covered item, such as your house, the insurance company may pay to remove the tree. You can at least expect them to pay to get the tree off of the damaged item. Some high-value providers may cover as much as $1,500 for the removal of fallen trees, even if the fallen tree does not damage your property or block driveway.

A Neighbor’s Tree Fell on My House/Car; Who Is Responsible?

There are 2 possible scenarios that may apply:

• If a storm blows over your neighbor’s tree, they are not liable. This is considered an act of nature, and your homeowners policy will take care of it.
• If your neighbor neglected their tree, they are liable for damages and their homeowners insurance policy should pay for damages. An example of negligence could be if their tree needed treatment, pruning, or complete removal, prior to the incident.
  • If it causes damage, insurance will pay to move the tree off of the damaged area, but not to have the tree hauled away.
  • Payment is based on liability coverage, which means the tree’s owner will need to be considered negligent and liable for the damages.

I Know Trees Are Valuable to My Property; Is This Considered Part of My Homeowners Policy?

In general, NO. But there is coverage afforded on many high-value homeowners policies.
For example, one high-value provider covers 5% of the insured value of the home for landscaping (trees, shrubs, plants and lawn) or up to $5000 for any 1 plant.

What Are the Requirements for Insurance When I Have a Tree with Branches over My Roof?

Trees with branches that extend over the roofline may damage the roof if they break and fall on the home. Additionally, trees can cause wear on roof surfaces if they rub against the house. With new home insurance policies, an inspector will mandate overhanging branches be trimmed back. Existing home insurance policies may exclude coverage caused by the tree if damages occur as a result of negligent or improper pruning and maintenance.

When Is Tree/Debris Removal Covered by Insurance?

Typically, removal is only covered when the tree or debris damages something (home, detached structure, or vehicle). However, high value home policies may not make this exclusion. This is one fundamental difference between a “named peril” policy (covering listed events, such as storm damage) and an “open peril” policy (with broader coverage).

What Is the Maximum Replacement Value for Lost Landscape?

This is carrier-specific. Some carriers provide a specific coverage allowance for landscaping, while others include it with home contents or personal property. (Some providers cover up to 5% of the insured value of the home for landscaping.)

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we hope this information provides a basis for understanding how insurance may (or may not) cover your trees. As always, if you have any questions about your trees, or want an arborist to come out and take a look, let us know!

Trees that survived the severe storm damage are going to need special care over the next few years. The loss of canopy will reduce the trees’ ability to photosynthesize for food and to take up water. We are entering the hottest part of the year; after the rains have passed, increased watering and fertilization are key. It is up to tree owners to supplement the nutrients that trees need, but can no longer absorb from their environment. Your arborist can discuss fertilization options, including our comprehensive, year-round Plant Health Care programs. Contact us to make sure you are taking the best care of your damaged trees.

While fertilization goes a long way toward helping damaged trees recover, they are also more susceptible to disease and pest infestations. With the recent wet weather, fungal issues are increasingly common, but insect activity and environmental stress are also a danger. Over the coming months and years, we expect to see:

Tree Failure and Death in Some Cases

While trees have the ability to store energy to last them for years, as these stores are depleted due to damage and infestation, the trees will slowly die.

Oak Wilt

Already a major concern in North Texas, the oak wilt-carrying beetles are drawn to open wounds and damaged areas. Until we have temperatures consistently above 90 degrees, the beetles and the fungus they carry will remain active.

Sunburn and Sun Scald

With reduced leafy canopy, the branches and trunks of trees will be exposed to more direct sunlight, which can cause further damage. Red oaks are especially prone to sun-related damage.

More Broken Limbs and Tree Damage

Trees grow in response to their surrounding, especially other trees. When one tree in a group is damaged or removed, other trees are exposed to the environment in ways they have not been before. As future storms and wind move through the area, the newly-exposed trees may not be adapted to their exposed conditions, and may not be able to withstand the elements. Ask your arborist to see if tree cabling and bracing might be recommended to reinforce your trees.

As you are considering fertilization, also talk to your arborist about treatment for fungi, bacteria, and pests. While treatments have varying effectiveness, depending on the specific situation, your arborist can discuss options for your trees. Contact us to have an arborist come out for a post-storm assessment.

After such a loss, the best remedial measure is to plant new trees. The best time to plant trees is the winter, so use the intervening months to consider where and what kind of trees to plant. It may not be the best idea to replace a removed tree with the same species. Talk to your arborist about types of trees that would thrive in your particular conditions, and to discuss the best place in your yard to plant a tree. (Even if you have had a tree removed, we don’t recommend replanting in the same place, as underground root systems may hinder the new tree’s growth.) Choose native species that can better cope with our North Texas weather. If you don’t have room for more trees, consider supporting a community organization that is replanting for those who need them.

When the storm hit, one of our arborists was trapped in her home due to fallen branches, two staff members had flooded cars, two arborists were out of town, and our operations manager was stuck at a gas station, out of gas, waiting for the power to come back on. Our office was without power for three days, and those of us with power worked from home, the rest on the road, despite spotty cell service. Still, we tried to respond as quickly as we could, and have been able to assess over 700 properties for damage and deal with storm damage at nearly 200 homes. Visit our Facebook page for some photos of the damage we have seen!

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees, and we hate to see such widespread damage. We are proud to call North Texas home, and we are grateful for the opportunity to care for your trees, and the continued support of our community. If you ever have any questions or concerns about your trees, please let us know!

As we prepare for storm season, Texas Tree Surgeons has a few tips for taking the best care of your trees. Let us know if you have questions or need us to come out to assess your trees!

Consult a Certified Arborist to Assess Any Storm Damage

Storms, especially ones with high winds and hail, can cause extensive damage to trees. After the storm, it is important to remove any damaged or fallen limbs, and to clean up the wounds from damage. If the tree is at risk for oak wilt or other diseases, it is critical to clean up wounds and seal cuts. See our post on storm damage.

Water and Fertilize After the Storms Have Passed

After any flooding has receeded, and the ground returns to its usual moisture levels, it is important to begin a water regimen for damaged trees. Damage to tree tissue can reduce the tree’s ability to pull water and nutrients from the soil. Additionally, consider fertilizer to increase availability of nutrients in the soil.

Special Note About Hail

Hail can defoliate trees and cause damage to the outer layers of tree bark. The loss of leaves and damage to vascular tissue can severely limit the tree’s ability to use nutrients. Healthy trees can recover, but trees with underlying issues or stressors may have a hard time bouncing back.

Watch for Signs of Stress

Just like after construction, it can take weeks or months for trees to show signs of stress from storm damage. Yellowing leaves, dieback, and limb discoloration are some signs of stress. If you see any of these signs, or have any other questions about your tree’s health, consult a certified arborist.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we want to help our beautiful North Texas trees weather any storms that may come. As always, let us know if you have any questions or would like a visit from a certified arborist — storm damage or not.

Storm damage is a hazard to people, animals, and structures. Proper tree care can prevent or mitigate storm damage like falling limbs or splitting trunks.

It seems that we have been getting our April showers in September this year! North Texas storms are always a mixed blessing and, for those of us in tree service, a good reminder of the needs of our urban forest. Plano, Texas, with its mix of development ages and styles, features a varied mix of trees that require particular attention in this stormy weather.

Profile of a Plano Tree

Trees say a lot about an area. In older Plano neighborhoods, we often see well-established oaks and pecans, some even nearing the end of their life. New communities can have a wider variety of species but can struggle with over-planting or construction stress. In the middle is a varied mix of species and ages. Plano, like many cities, has grown in stages. Earlier developments feature trees that are now coming into maturity, while there are still many recently-planted trees in newer areas. Age and size can greatly affect a tree’s ability to weather a storm, and we can sometimes see a range of damage in a relatively small geographic area. Plano is a city that values its trees and understanding the needs of the different trees is essential to providing effective tree service in Plano.

Storms and Young Trees

Newly-planted trees need particular care and attention to recover from transplantation stress and become established. If the trees are located near to recent construction, there may be other stressors, such as soil compaction or root damage. A stressed tree that has not been able to send out stabilizing roots is at higher risk from flash flooding and high winds. Improperly-planted trees can be uprooted in a strong storm, even with supporting stakes and wires. 

Smaller trees that are planted near or under the canopy of older, larger trees are also at risk of damage from falling branches. While trees have adapted to resist high winds and rain, a large branch from an overhanging tree can fall with enough force to break young limbs and even the trunks of smaller trees. A similar risk is posed by hail or other storm debris. Fortunately, young trees are naturally more flexible, but they must be healthy to have the best chance to survive damage. 

The best way to prepare a young tree to weather a storm is to follow best practices when planting, water regularly, and protect the tree from stress, pests, and diseases. A certified arborist can evaluate the status of your young trees and make recommendations for keeping them healthy, such as a Plant Health Care program of fertilization or pest control.

Storms and Large Trees

As a tree grows, it gains stability from larger roots and increasing layers around its trunk and branches. However, as limb size increases, so does weight and stress on joints.. Periods of drought can cause  cause sudden limb drop, which we saw in Plano in the summer of 2018. Larger trees can also harbor more insects, bacteria, and fungi, some of which can cause limb die-back. Limb joints can become stress points, especially when tree formation allows rot to infiltrate a joint. Issues arising from improper trimming are amplified the larger a tree gets, as even healthy limbs can become unbalance and break in strong winds.

Trees with underlying stability issues are easy targets for storms.

It is a common misconception that the best way to prevent limb breakage is to reduce weight and size by removing as much new growth as possible from older limbs. At the extreme, this can be seen in stripping branches out to the ends, sometimes called a “lion tail” trim. While this does reduce limb weight, it concentrates all the remaining weight to the ends of branches. Furthermore, leaves can actually act as a windbreak and buffer, absorbing the force of high winds and distributing it over a larger area. While it is true that a bare limb has a smaller profile, it also has no shock absorbers, and will simply break when the wind gets too strong. Weight reduction should be performed with care and attention to overall limb resilience and balance.

The longer a tree survives, the more it grows and adapts in response to prevailing weather patterns. Proper tree care consists of helping the tree’s natural defenses. In nature, trees drop dead wood as needed. In a populated environment, we can help the tree get rid of dead wood by removing it safely, before a storm has the chance to. Growth defects or weak joints can be reinforced with cables and bracing and trees should be trimmed to promote balance and not stress weak points in the tree. A certified arborist can examine your tree for signs of stress and disease, and one with a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification is specially trained to asses potential safety issues.

Guidelines for Every Tree

For all trees, there are a few general principles to guide prevention of storm damage:

• Regularly inspect the tree for dead or broken limbs, and remove promptly
• Properly trim trees (no “lion tail” trims) to bolster natural wind resistance
• Reinforce weak joints or splitting areas with bracing or cables
• If a tree is showing signs of stress (yellowing leaves, die-back, insect activity), contact a certified arborist to diagnose and treat any issues
• Be familiar with the type and age of your trees and their particular care needs
• Identify any potential risks posed by falling limbs (structures, landscaping, vehicles, etc.)

Plano: A City of Trees

Every community values its environment. Parks, greenswards, and trees are an essential part of making an urban area a safe, healthy, and inviting place to call home. The city of Plano, with its mix of tree species and ages, is an outstanding example of how a municipality grows with and around its trees. Working with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Texas Forest Service, Plano’s Parks and Recreation and Urban Forestry departments provide valuable resources for Plano residents to learn more about tree care.  Nature preserves like Arbor Hills give residents and visitors to Plano a refreshing oasis in the heart of the Metroplex. As Plano continues to grow, its trees will continue to mature and need care. Tree services in Plano can only do so much; it is up to Plano residents and tree owners to remain engaged in the life of the community and the life of its trees.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional tree care in Plano and the surrounding areas. Whether it is storm cleanup, regular tree trimming, disease management, or consultation services, we love our Plano customers and we love their trees. We are always available to come out to your home and inspect your trees and we love to answer tree questions! Contact us online or give us a call, and we’ll see what we can do to help your trees not just survive a storm, but grow and thrive and add beauty and value to Plano and all our North Texas communities.