Dead Trees are Dangerous
Fences, powerlines, and multiple yards affected.
Do you have a dead tree in your yard? Are there sizable dead limbs on one of your trees? The following series of pictures depicts some recent damage done by a dead tree that was allowed to linger too long and wreaked havoc when thunderstorms recently passed through. It’s just one incident depicted in the pictures, and neighbors and utility services are surely taking action to remedy this situation and resolve the issues that arose. However, the alarming consequences of dead trees left untended should serve as a cautionary tale.*
Below are some suggestions, some questions, some curious pictures, and hopefully some comments from people who know what they’re talking about (paging tree doctor, Janine).
Downed lines entangled with downed limbs.
When big trees take a fall, sometimes several properties pay the price. In addition to yards, sheds, cars, and fences, utility lines are often pulled down and work on those can take days or weeks for repairs to be made (at least 4 days at the time of these pictures). With children playing in the neighborhood, this is especially dangerous.
Step one: Look up.
If you see a dead tree towering over your property, talk to your neighbors about what to do. Maybe you’ll see more than one, as in this picture. In that case, you can get your tree-limbing contractor to handle multiple jobs in one trip and your block can pool money to pay for it (or maybe the city has a service for this?). In other words, be proactive, and prevent the dire consequences of procrastination.
Step two: Scary Halloween trees in the summertime? Cut'em down.
If dead limbs fall on your block, you might need someone to haul them away. Take that opportunity to identify future hazards (like the one above, towering over the destruction in the other pictures) and have all of the dead wood taken out at one time. If you don’t know who to contact about these matters, see the comments for referrals (commenters, please help us out with some referrals).
Remember, if the city or a utility company comes out and cuts tree limbs away from power/cable/telephone lines, there still may be tree work that needs tending to on your property. Scrutinize these pictures. The limbs seem to be clear of the lines but errant in the direction of people’s yards and houses. Not sure where to start? You might try the City’s Customer Care Center at 3-1-1 or (804) 646-7000.
*it should be noted that the author of this post has an enormous dead tree limb hanging over his front yard and hopes that posting this story will help bring about a responsible resolution.
If the tree is on city property (easement, curb strip, etc) the city arborist will come evaluate the tree and potentially put you on a list for limb removal, or tree removal. The city arborist is really overworked, and the process is very long (it took me 2 years to get my dead tree removed) but once you’re finally on the list for removal, the tree guys do a great job of removing the tree and grinding out the stump. You can also sign up for a new tree to be planted through the adopt-a-tree program. The arborist will suggest a suitable tree for the location and for $50 the city will plant the tree and give you a Tree Gator to water the tree with. Your job is to water the tree and keep it alive. Heckuva deal, since trees that size at nurseries are significantly more expensive.
The city forestry department does really great work, and they are all super nice guys. I can’t say enough nice things about them.
Thanks for the great article, Jason. There’s lots of good advice here.
I agree that obvious problems, like dead trees, should be dealt with promptly; but many times, hazardous trees are not obvious, especially to untrained eyes. It also never occurs to most people that trees might require regular maintenance or evaluation.
I just had to have a very large section of 75 foot tall tree removed from my property. Not a pretty or inexpensive adventure but I really liked the service I choose to do the work. They gave me an excellent price and di a wonderful job of preserving my lawn and landscaping.
Sharpe Tree Services 674-2755
A couple of those look like they might be on city right of way (I believe it extends a few feet in either direction of the pavement in the alleys).
Did anyone else see that a big tree fell on the Sheilds/Robinson cemetery in the park and took out part of the wall?
This has been educational for me already. So far, I’ve learned that the dead limbs hanging over my stoop are the responsibility of the city, because they’re part of a city-owned tree. However, if I want it fixed soon so I can be sure the limbs don’t fall on my toddler, I might have to get someone out to do the work on my own dime.
Also, the term “power lines” should only refer to the three wires at the top of the telephone poles. Everything else below those, that big tangle of cords going every which way, those are telephone/FIOS/cable/etc and probably aren’t going to shock anybody. (do yall agree with that?)
Anyhow, I’ve contacted the city and asked them to weigh in on this story with any additional info.
Tim (and everyone, really): Can you snap a picture of any destruction you might come across in your travels around Byrd Park, Maymont, and Randolph? I’d love to share them here.
I am surprised no one has posted a pic of the big tree that came down near the roundhouse and fell on the small cemetary there. it is quite massive.