Storm Damage Cleanup

The weather in Colorado can be very unpredictable, leaving your trees/forest and landscape at risk of being damaged.
Whether it is large hail, strong winds or a heavy snowfall, trees are always susceptible to broken limbs, stress cracks and fractures. In many cases the tree can be saved by selectively thinning and pruning branches and limbs to strengthen the tree, however if a tree is damaged past the point of repair the Splintered Forest crew is able to safely remove the tree for you.

Things to Look for Before a Storm

A tree with poor structure or pest damage can be prone to breaking in high winds or with extra limb weight from snow or rain. Trees that grow quickly and have no structural pruning to help guide them can form weak branch unions that are more prone to ripping out or breaking. Keeping your trees pruned on a schedule also helps to remove deadwood and branches that are prone to breakage from being blown out of the tree in high winds.

Safety After a Storm

Most damage during a storm comes from trees and limbs falling unexpectedly. If you suspect your tree has been damaged please contact the Splintered Forest crew immediately to assess the situation.

It is also important to remember that rules and regulations for trees along streets vary by city. In some cases it may be your responsibility to care for these trees that are near your property. If you are concerned about a publicly owned tree, start by contacting your City Forester for information about the process of caring for the tree.

Do Your Research

The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) warns homeowners to avoid being pressured by door-to-door tree care workers to remove or trim your trees after a storm. The tree industry has three main groups that work to accredit both businesses and individuals:

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)
American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA)

Home (or business owners) can consult these organizations to determine if tree care workers have obtained any of these certifications. To learn more about the industry experience and certifications held by Splintered Forest and our crew members, visit our Safety & Certifications page.

Trees to Avoid Planting

Trees that are ill-suited for their environment are more prone to stress and damage. If you decide to plant a tree that is not well adapted for the environment in the area it can lead to higher costs in pest management and treatment for health issues related to lack of adaptations. Splintered Forest recommends avoiding planting the following trees whenever possible:

Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima): These trees are highly invasive and grow quickly which leaves them prone to breakage.
Birches (Betula spp.): These trees prefer soils with more moisture so they can be stressed and more prone to pests and diseases.

Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum): Although they are well known and present all over the area these trees are not well suited to handle the lack of iron in usable form in the soil.
Aspen (Populus tremuloides): Even though they are native to the area, aspens are not suited for life in certain conditions/areas on the front range due to differences in soil types and pH, this can lead to pest infestations and diseases when the tree is stressed.

For more information, visit https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/trees_for_frontrange.pdf

Important Things to Consider When Hiring A Tree Contractor

Assure that the business is established within the community by verifying websites, online reviews on platforms such as Google or Facebook and check, etc.
Ask to see a current Certificate of Insurance showing that the company is insured with a general liability policy and workmen’s compensation.
Verify they are an accredited business with the BBB with a high rating.
Get a written estimate detailing the work to be completed and cost prior to beginning any project.

crane carrying a tree trunk tied with ropes with man riding the tree trunk in the air

Tips for Assessing a Storm Damaged Tree

Is the tree healthy and vigorous?
Are any major limbs broken?
Has the main tree stem been lost?
Is at least 50 percent of the tree crown intact?
How big are the tree wounds?
Are there remaining branches that can form a new branch structure?

difficult large tree removal near a home

Preventative Measures You Can Take

Start pruning your trees regularly at a young age to promote good strong branch attachments.
Water trees in times of drought and as needed to keep the tree from feeling drought stress.
Watch for heaving of the tree root system, especially in evergreens, to ensure the tree will not fall in high winds.
Do not hang ropes from branches for extended periods of time as they can cause girdling of the branch and dieback.
Prune canopy evenly and relieve weight on overextended branches avoiding lion’s tail to promote good structure and even distribution of weight.
Have your tree monitored for possible pests and diseases that could weaken their structure.

Get Your Free Estimate

Christopher Young

Splintered Forest did a great job removing 2 very large trees in my backyard. They were very efficient and had the trees removed in 1/2 a day - which is probably due to the fact they had some amazing equipment (crane, trucks, etc.).

Kathleen Noonan

Splintered Forest was willing to work with our needs and were patient during the estimating process... The crews arrived on time every day, worked hard, and did a good job cleaning up the work areas at the end of each day.

Justin Matheny

The crew was incredibly efficient, skilled and professional. Would highly recommend and use them again in the future.

Splintered Forest