Storm Damage Tree Cleanup in Folsom

What storm damage looks like here

Folsom winters are cool and rainy. After a wet week and a windy night, you'll see the same things up and down the block.

• Small branches and twigs spread across the lawn.
• One big limb snapped and left hanging in the canopy.
• A split trunk where two stems grew apart.
• A tree tipped partway over, with dirt heaved up at the base.
• Limbs resting on a fence or a roof edge.

The first one is just yard work. The rest can be dangerous. A hanging limb is the worst of them, because it can drop days later with no warning.

The weather service has a plain tip for the days before a blow. Keep limbs trimmed back from the house and the wires. That works better before a storm than after one.

Why trees fail in wet, windy weather

Wind alone doesn't tell the whole story. The ground matters. Fixr says a wet spell or a storm can pull a tree out by the roots. When the soil is soggy, roots lose their grip.

Folsom gets about 25.80 inches of rain in a year, and most of it falls in winter. By February the dirt can be soft all the way down. A gust that wouldn't bother a tree in August can tip it in a wet January.

Old wounds make it worse. A tree with a split trunk, rot at the base or a big dead branch is already weak. Storms just find the weak spot.

Fixr also warns that wind-hit or snow-hit trees are often hard to save. Some can be fixed. Many can't.

What the cleanup involves

A pro usually starts with a walk around. They look for hanging limbs, leaning trunks and anything touching a wire. That part comes before any saws start.

Then the work goes in order:

1. Make the area safe, including any hanging pieces.
2. Cut the fallen wood into pieces you can move.
3. Take the damaged limbs off the standing tree, cutting back to sound wood.
4. Haul off the wood and brush, or leave rounds if you want firewood.
5. Rake up the small stuff.

Ask the pro whether the tree can be saved. Sometimes a clean cut is enough. Sometimes the damage is too deep, and the pro will tell you it should come out. That's a fair thing to get in writing.

What cleanup costs

Storm jobs vary a lot. A few branches on the lawn is cheap. A big oak with a torn-out limb is not. These are the numbers from the guides we read.

Price sources: Fixr's removal and trimming cost guides.

The trimming guide gives a national average of about $450. Your price depends on how high the limb is, what's under it and how easy it is to reach.

Debris is a line item too. The pro may haul it for a flat fee or charge by the load. Ask before you say yes.

Any storm job can come in above or below these ranges. Treat them as a starting point, then wait for the pro's price.

Who clears what

If a storm drops a tree on a wire, the electric company handles the wire. SMUD says it will prune or cut trees that threaten its lines to restore power. But the tree debris on your property is yours to clear.

That's a common mix-up. People see the SMUD crew and think the whole mess will be gone by dinner. Usually the crew cuts what it must and leaves the rest.

That left-behind wood is where we come in. We find a pro who can haul it.

Before you call anyone

Run through this short list. It'll help your pro and your insurer.

• Take photos of every bit of damage, wide and close.
• Write down the time the storm hit.
• Don't touch anything that's near a wire.
• Keep the broken pieces until the insurer says otherwise.
• Check your policy for a tree removal limit.

Consumer Reports puts the usual insurer cap for hauling at $500 or $1,000, with house repairs handled apart.

The SMUD storm tips also say to keep a charger, a flashlight and water ready. It's a good habit if the power goes out with the storm.

How we help

We answer the call, ask what the storm did, and pick a pro for your end of Folsom. We set up the visit. After the storm, that part takes the most time, and it's the part we take off your plate.

The pro names a price ahead of the work. A second opinion on cost is easy to arrange, just ask.

One note on rules. Folsom is a city and has its own tree rules. Some protected trees need a city permit. We can't say which. Ask the City of Folsom.

Storm cleanup questions

Should I wait for the storm to end?

Yes, for the saw work. Call us during the storm if there's danger, and the pro will say when it's safe to come.

Can a half-broken tree be saved?

Sometimes. One tidy cut back to sound wood can do it. Ask the pro, and get the answer in writing.

Do I keep the wood?

You can. Tell the pro you want the rounds left. Otherwise it gets hauled off.

Does SMUD clear the branches in my yard?

No. SMUD cuts what threatens its lines. The property owner clears the debris.