Help with questions on Storm Damage

After last nights stormy weather, we had lots of calls regarding storm damaged trees. We would like to offer you some information detailing how to deal with various problems that occur with trees in poor weather conditions. Here is some advice on how you can deal with storm damaged trees, in particular those that have been affected by high winds.

Hopefully you might find some answers to some of the concerned questions you might be asking at the moment if you live in Belfast or any other part of Northern Ireland.

General Storm Damage – What Can I Do?

General storm damage can show up in a variety of ways. Maybe you opened your curtains this morning to find a large branch had broken off your tree and hadn’t just damaged your fence, but had also left a wound on the tree as well.

In this situation, you really shouldn’t undertake the “clear-up” on your own. If a large branch has separated from the tree completely, it will need to be cut carefully so that it can be safely removed. If the branch is still attached to the tree, it may also need specialist rigging equipment to get it down in a safe and controlled manner.

In either case, it will more than likely require a chainsaw and the very last thing an untrained or unskilled person should do is set about handling a dangerous tool like this on their own. The reasons for this are pretty obvious, which is why you should always contact a local tree surgeon so that they can help.

My Tree Is Protected – What Are the Rules?

This can get a little more complicated. As you may know, there are many types of tree in Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland that are protected. You need to be very careful about how you go about “working” with one, or you could end up in trouble with the local authority. Of course, if you just have minor branches that have separated from the tree, these can easily be cleared up.

However, if the problem is a more serious such as a cracked trunk, or major branches that have broken but not come away from the tree, it’s best to check with a professional. They will know if you need to get permission from the local authority in order to sort out the issue you may have.

If you’re not sure if the tree is protected, a professional tree surgeon will be able to give you advice on what may need to be done. In some cases, an application may need to be submitted to the local authority to carry out repair work. However, a tree surgeon will be able to make the tree (and its surroundings) safe prior to an application being made.

Overall:

If you’re the least bit unsure about anything, the best thing to do is call a tree surgeon. By doing this, you could save yourself an awful lot of hard work with poor results or, in the worse case scenario, a fine from the council!

If you need a professional tree surgeon in Belfast, please call Treescapes on freephone: 080 0069 9738