Tips for Tree Safety

By: Christy Henderson | News Channel 7
Published: June 11, 2009 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment

Anytime we have thunderstorms in the area, and especially with any large weather system that produces widespread high winds like weakening tropical systems, we have to think about the danger of falling trees. It's been in the news a lot lately with our afternoon storms causing trees to fall on cars and houses. I'm at the Inland Impacts of Tropical Cyclones conference in Atlanta this week, and one of the topics was about the underrated hazard of falling trees.

Dr. Thomas Schmidlin from Kent State University completed a study that revealed some interesting facts based on his research. He found that on average there are 31 deaths due to falling trees every year in 41 states. Of those deaths, 2/3 are men. He found that 44% died in their cars when a tree fell on them, that 38% died while they were outside at a park, on a golf course, etc, and that 18% were at home. It was interesting to note that during your typical severe weather afternoon, very few people change there plans, so they are out and about, unaware that weakened trees or heavy branches could pose a risk to them. Keep in mind the danger of trees during gusty winds - a 3 second gust to 61 mph based on Dr. Schmidlin's study could bring down a large hardwood branch - and THAT will cause a lot of damage. A gust to 76 mph can cause some hardwoods to be uprooted.

What can you do to minimize your risk? Much of the advice is common sense, but you have to act on that common sense to lower the risk.

1. trim dead wood and damaged branches from past storms
2. identify (using an arborist if necessary) unhealthy or hollow trees and have them taken out
3. plant trees away from the road so when they get bigger they don't fall into the road and onto cars
4. plant trees away from your house so that gusty winds won't blow them into your house

If you already have large trees near your house, take shelter from dangerous weather in a room that is less likely to be impacted by the storms and blowing trees.