Denver is known for its unpredictable weather. Late spring snow and wind storms can topple trees and cause branch damage across the city. The need for emergency tree service rises exponentially because some damage is hazardous to people, vehicles, and buildings. Damage that does not hinder street traffic, threaten buildings, or obstruct people walking on sidewalks is not dangerous. It is up to property owners to decide to request emergency tree service based on their observation of their trees.
Tree service companies like Ross Tree must balance meeting emergency calls and honoring already scheduled appointments. It comes down to managing the appointment queue. Emergency tree customers pay a premium to jump ahead of already scheduled appointments. The cost of trimming or removing trees in an emergency depends on the job size. After receiving an emergency tree service call, Ross Tree presents the client with a quote and, if approved, schedules the appointment. The challenge is that Ross Tree needs to make sure already scheduled customers are taken care of in a timely manner while addressing emergency jobs.
Tree Emergencies
A city-wide event with trees down and large limbs hanging in trees means not everyone can get serviced on the same day because every professional tree company is busy and booked. Large branches hanging over a sidewalk, garage, or home or leaning large trees are hazards. The city of Denver and neighboring suburbs do expect property owners to take care of hazardous trees. If electrical power lines are on the ground, call Xcel Energy before going outdoors.
Residential and commercial property owners should call Ross Tree immediately to book an emergency appointment. They should take pictures and send them to rosstree@rosstree.net so we can assess the tree problem. Ross Tree will work the job into our schedule as soon as possible. Customers should understand that Ross Tree does not base the cost for emergency tree service on when the crews show up but instead when customers buy the privilege to jump ahead in the appointment queue. Once the customer approves the job, the emergency rates still hold even though the tree service crews and trucks show up days later.
Can The Work Wait?
Building damage is usually apparent and will not worsen, but it is up to the customer to decide whether the job can wait. It will be much less expensive to ask for a standard appointment and wait till the crews show up a week or so later. The picture above is a home in Washington Park with tree storm damage. They decided to wait and use standard rates because the tree posed no hazard. Sometimes, customers must act quickly. For example, assume Denver has a big wind storm that drops branches and falls trees across the city. A homeowner has an outdoor wedding planned that week. To clear the yard, they should request an emergency call to remove the branches and debris from the yard before the ceremony.
Tree Damage Assessment
Homeowners needing help deciding whether a tree problem is hazardous should consider hiring Ross Tree for a tree risk assessment. An experienced ISA-certified arborist with sound technical knowledge and experience can assess problem trees and determine the potential for harm from tree failure. For more information, go to our blog, Tree Risk Assessment.
Prevention
Snowstorms with heavy snow can wreak havoc on trees. Periodic pruning reduces trees’ weight and wind resistance, making them less susceptible to mechanical breakage. Trees not periodically pruned form dense canopies with branches growing far from the trunk. Snow can accumulate on these long branches, increasing the likelihood of breakage or the entire tree toppling under the weight.
Pruning removes dead, diseased, or structurally weak branches opens the canopy so snow can pass through the crown rather than accumulating on the branches. Tree trimming improves the overall balance and weight distribution within the tree, reducing the risk of it becoming uprooted during high winds or heavy snowfall.
Certified arborists train young saplings to form a single dominant leader, much like trees growing in a forest. Trees with singular leaders form solid and resilient structures that withstand Denver’s unpredictable weather. Ross Tree prunes trees according to their specific species and growth habits. Improper pruning techniques can increase the risk of damage during severe weather events. Click here for more information about Standard-Based Pruning.
Ross Tree understands the stress of a large tree or branch falling into a yard after a storm. Given enough information, we work closely with our customers to decide if they need emergency tree service work. We are known for our experience removing and pruning trees in tight spaces and next to roads. If you have a tree emergency, give us a call at 303-871-9121. We are at your service.