The Pacific Northwest, including the Portland area, is home to some of the biggest and most beautiful trees around! But unfortunately, the area is also prone to severe weather, including heavy winds, ice storms, and months and months of drizzly rain. The combination of extreme weather and large trees can lead to big problems.

In today’s post, we’ll explain what you should do if a tree falls on your Portland home.

Let’s get started.

1. Be Safe & Contact Emergency Services

If a tree falls on your home, your first priority is to protect yourself and your family. Remember that your house can be repaired and your property can be replaced. But the safety and health of your loved ones is priceless.

So if a tree falls on your house, make sure everyone is safe. If anyone needs medical attention, don’t hesitate to call 911. If the tree brought down power lines as it fell, if you see fire or smell smoke, call the fire department right away! You’ll be glad you did.

2. Turn Off The Power & Gas In Your Home

If there’s no immediate danger and you know how to; turn off the power and gas in your home. It’s a precautionary measure that could stop a fire from starting if the tree damaged a gas line as it fell.

3. Call The Electric Company

Many times, when a large tree falls, it damages power lines which can cause an outage in your area. You should call the power company to alert them of any damage to power lines or power outages caused by the downed tree.

For reference here are contact numbers for Portland area utility companies:

• Pacific Power – (877) 508-5088
• PGE – (800) 544-1795

You can call and report downed power lines, power outages, and unsafe conditions.

4. Contact Your Home Insurance Agent

Once everyone is safe and the authorities have been notified, call your home insurance agent. They can help you decide what steps to take next and can help you understand what might or might not be covered by your homeowner’s policy.

An insurance assessor will likely come out to your home to inspect the damage before processing your claim. In some cases, you may be able to email pictures of the damage to your insurance agent to speed up the process.

5. Get The Tree Removed & Other Trees Inspected

Next, you’ll need to have the tree removed by a trusted and experienced large tree removal company, like the team here at Northwest Arbor Culture. We’re happy to come out to your home and offer you a free, no-obligation estimate. We can remove large trees and can even grind up and haul away the stump that’s still in the ground.

In most cases, you’ll also want to have other trees on your property inspected as well. The saying “lightning doesn’t strike twice” doesn’t apply to falling trees! Changing soil conditions, tree diseases, and other factors can cause multiple trees to be more likely to fall in your yard. You’ll also want to pay close attention to any trees that might be near your property line and that might fall on your neighbor’s home or yard.

Do not try to remove the tree yourself. Fallen trees are dangerous– especially if they are leaning on your house. Trees can weigh THOUSANDS of pounds and the root ball can act as a counterweight, causing the trunk of the tree to spring back if it is cut free.

For your safety, leave this job to an experienced, certified, licensed, and insured professional.

6. Roof Inspection & Repair

After the tree has been removed, you’ll need to find a trusted local roofing contractor to inspect and repair your roof. Depending on the extent of the damage, a partial roof replacement might be required– and might even be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy.

Even if there isn’t visible roof damage, your roof should still be inspected. There may be damage under the shingles that could lead to roof leaks later on down the road.

7. Home & Foundation Inspection

Finally, you’ll want to have your home and foundation inspected– especially if you see cracks or splits in the foundation. When a tree falls, the extremely large root ball moves as well. This movement can cause damage to the foundation that you might not notice right away. But over time, this can damage the structure of your house or allow moisture and leaks.

A thorough home inspection can identify problems like these and can help you rest a little easier.

Answers To Your Questions

“What If My Neighbor’s Tree Falls On My House?”

Generally speaking, when it comes to insurance, your policy pays for damage to your property, no matter whose tree it was. In other words, if a tree falls on your house, contact your insurance company.

“What If My Tree Falls On My Neighbor’s House?”

It’s likely that you will only be liable if you were negligent about the condition of the tree. You can protect yourself by having the trees on your property inspected, trimmed, and if necessary, removed.

“What If a Tree Falls On A Shared Fence or Property Line?”

The best case scenario is that you get along well with your neighbors and can split the cost of removing the tree and repairing the fence! Both parties involved can contact their insurance companies and let them decide how to handle things.

“How Can I Tell If A Tree Might Fall?”

Dead trees are most at risk for falling. Disease, severe weather, and other factors can also increase the likelihood that a tree will fall. But only the assistance and trained eye of an experienced tree care professional can help you understand whether a tree is likely to come crashing down.

“I’m About To Buy A House. Are The Current Owners Liable For The Trees?”

If you’re thinking about buying a home in the Portland area, please take the time to have the trees inspected before you make the biggest purchase of your life! A pre-purchase tree inspection can save you thousands down the road– not to mention a lot of headaches.

Do You Need Help With A Tree On Your Property?

If you’re worried that a tree on your property might fall and damage your home, contact Northwest Arbor Culture today. We can inspect your trees and offer our expert advice based on decades of experience as Certified Arborists.

We’re here to help you!

Photo Credits: TheTurducken, slgckgc, John Whitlock, Phil Denton, pml2008, Wayne Truong, David Ensor, Stig Andersen

Photo: Loren Kerns

Oregon is known for its abundance of trees, but do you know Oregon’s state tree? Who owns our forests? Which trees are native to Oregon?

Get ready for some tree trivia as well as some important tree safety advice for winter! I’ll even give you some tips for planting trees that grow well in Oregon.

A History of Oregon’s Forest

Ever since Lewis and Clark reached the mouth of the Columbia River in 1805, people have poured into Oregon, drawn by its forests and natural beauty. And it’s still happening today. Believe it or not, Oregon is the most popular moving destination in the country.

The influx of people over time meant more cities, highways, and infrastructure. Oregon also developed a huge timber industry, which is still going strong today. Despite all that, Oregon still has almost 92% of the forests that covered the state in 1850. Not bad!

That’s not a coincidence though. Private landowners cooperate with both federal and state governments to preserve Oregon forests. Among other strategies, that includes replanting, restrictions on clearcutting, and avoiding and managing occasional forest fires.  

Oregon’s Famous Trees

Oregon has a few famous trees to its name. How much do you know about the state’s most quintessentially Oregonian celebrities?

Oregon’s State Tree

Our state tree is the Douglas fir, an evergreen tree with pine needles and cones. The tree is named after botanist-explorer, David Douglas, who described it as “one of the most striking and truly graceful objects in nature.” Now that’s a glowing review!

Oregon’s Largest Tree

There is some debate about which tree is truly Oregon’s largest. It used to be a 206-foot-tall Sitka Spruce along the coast near Seaside, Oregon. In December 2007, a wind storm snapped the 700-year-old tree in half. You can still visit the 17-foot diameter trunk, though.

Here’s where the controversy starts. Officially, the largest tree is now a 329-foot-tall Douglas fir in Coos County (pictured below), but non-profit tree workers say they’ve found an even bigger Arcadia Cedar just outside of Cannon Beach.

The Octopus Tree

Without a doubt, one of Oregon’s weirdest-looking trees is a different giant Sitka spruce in Cape Meares, Oregon. Its nickname, the Octopus Tree, isn’t hard to figure out. The tree’s multiple trunks grow out of its base like giant tentacles.

The tree has historical significance too. Experts believe it was once a gathering site for Native American tribes in Tillamook, and place of reverence where elders made decisions and shamans performed ceremonies.

Who Owns Oregon’s Forests?

The majority of Oregon’s forested land belongs to the federal government, but not all of it. Here’s the breakdown:

60% – federal government

35% – private ownership

3% – the State of Oregon

1% – tribe lands

1% – other public ownerships

Oregon Tree Safety

In general, trees make Oregon healthier and safer by purifying the air and casting shade from the sun. Trees don’t come without risks though. Western Oregon in particular often has heavy rains and strong winds (like the ones that ultimately knocked down the Sitka Spruce near Seaside). In years like this one, we also get extremely dry summers, which puts us at risk for forest fires.

Preventing Forest Fires

Fires are a natural part of a forest’s cycle, but most of Oregon’s fires are human-caused, and therefore preventable. Some of the biggest culprits are cigarettes, gas leaking from cars, and fireworks too close to forested areas. Campfires are a big one too. According to OregonForests.org, there are several steps you can take to make sure your campfire is safe:

• Keep your fire at a manageable size.
• Never leave a campfire unattended.
• Always have a large bucket of water nearby.
• Let the wood burn completely to ash.
• Dowse your campfire with water until the steaming and hissing stops.
• Cover all embers, not just the red ones.
• Stir to make sure everything is wet and cold to the touch. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes.
• Check again for any remaining hot spots. Dowse with more water if needed.
• Use dirt when there is no water available. Mix enough dirt into the embers until everything is cool but do not bury the fire.

Try this next time you go camping to be extra safe.

Protect Yourself From Falling Trees

When wind, rain, and heavy snow hits, weaker trees are at risk of falling. Look for tree branches near your house or power lines, and get them pruned or trimmed.

The number one thing you can do to make sure none of your trees fall on people or property is to get them inspected before harsh winter weather arrives. We’re always happy to swing by and give you some free expert advice about your trees.

What Trees Grow Best in Oregon?

Did you know fall is one of the best times to plant new trees? If you’re looking for a tree that will flourish in Oregon and won’t require an unnecessary amount of maintenance, planting a tree that’s native to Oregon is a good bet.

Photo: Alex Indigo

Many dogwoods, maples, and evergreens are perfectly suited to the Pacific Northwestern climate.

For more detailed information on what to plant and how, check out these tips from the Portland Nursery. Or see this longer list of native Oregon plants

Questions?

Still have questions about Oregon’s forests, which trees to plant, or how to keep your property safe this winter?

Call us anytime at 503-538-8733 for free, no-pressure advice.

Photos: Doug Kerr, Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington, Alicia Mueller,

Photo: Hugh Conlon

What is Tree Topping?

Tree topping is sometimes done to mature trees. It’s when people cut branches down to stubs or to lateral branches not big enough to sustain the remaining branch. “Rounding over,” “hat-racking,” “tipping,” “heading,” “stubbing” or “dehorning,” are all other names for topping.

Why Do People Top Trees?

Some homeowners top a tree when it grows too tall for their liking. They are under the false impression that topping reduces the hazard of falling branches during a storm. It actually has the opposite effect. People also top trees when they interfere with sunny garden areas, solar collectors, buildings, or power lines.

Source: Cape Blogger

What’s So Bad About Tree Topping?

1. Topping stresses trees. Remember learning about photosynthesis in biology? Basically, leaves are the food source of trees. Topping depletes the tree’s stored reserves and removes a major portion of the tree’s food-making ability.

2. Topping activates undesirable growth. Topping a tree removes most of the buds that would form a normal branch system, often stimulating “water sprout” regrowth just below the pruning cut. Water sprouts are dense, ugly, upright branches, and they grow fast. Topped trees quickly grow back to their original height, but lack the beauty of their natural form.

3. Topping leaves behind gaping wounds. The wounds left behind from tree topping are slow to close. This makes the tree more susceptible to fungal decay or insect attacks. If it is invaded by either fungus or insects, it can spread into the trunk, killing the tree.

4. Topping can lead to sunburn. That’s right, trees can get sunburned, too. The leaves on the branches within a tree’s crown absorb sunlight. When the leaves are removed, the trunk and the branches that remain are abruptly exposed to high levels of heat and light. Increased sun exposure on the branches and trunk can cause severe bark damage.

5. Topping deforms trees. When a tree is topped, its natural beauty is replaced by ugly branch stubs, distinct pruning cuts, and branches that grow in a broom-like shape. Tree topping can lower the resale value of your property.

Source: Kelly’s Cutting Edge

Alternatives to Tree Topping

Sometimes you want to reduce the height or spread of a tree, to provide room for a power line, for example. There are recommended techniques for this.

Remove small branches to their point of origin. If you want to shorten a larger tree limb, prune it back to a lateral branch that is large enough to support it. How do you know if it’s large enough? It must be at least one-third the diameter of the limb being removed. This practice of branch reduction helps preserve the tree’s natural form. Sometimes the best thing to do is remove the entire tree and replace it with a smaller species.

In summary, the answer is no, you should not top trees. Tree topping stresses trees, stimulates undesirable growth, leaves gaping wounds, damages the bark, and makes trees ugly! Our certified arborists at Northwest Arbor-Culture, Inc. discourage the practice.

Do you have any trees on your property that you would like reduced in size? Contact the certified arborists at Northwest Arbor-Culture today. We can prune your tree safely.

Getting To The Root Of The Problem

The taste of a fresh apple picked right off the branch in your back yard. The fragrance of cherry blossoms in full bloom. Relaxing with a loved one in the shade of your weeping willow.

Trees are a big part of our lives, especially here in the Pacific Northwest. We have a special place in our hearts for forests and the beauty that trees bring to our cityscapes.

But there can be a costly side to all of that greenery. If not planned and planted properly, tree roots can cause extensive damage to sewers, sidewalks, foundations, and landscapes in general.

Read this post to learn why trees cause so much damage to our homes and what you can do to prevent costly repairs and removals on your property.

Beneath the Surface

Roots are the foundation of a tree. Providing crucial support, water, and nutrients that a tree needs to survive. But because they are underground, many people don’t consider how widespread and deep roots travel when planting near their homes.

Picture the tallest tree in your yard.

Now imagine that the roots spreading from it are twice as long as the height of the tree.

Roots grow in search of water and nutrients and seek out the nearest source. Which can often be your drainage or septic system.

The effect roots have on your landscape and soil are great. Some tree roots can suck upwards of 200 gallons of water a day from the surrounding soil. Causing the soil to dry and contract if not properly watered.

But how can a plant affect something as strong as metal pipes or a concrete foundation?

Slow and Steady

Root growth can cause lots of damage to your home in many different ways. Here are some of the most common problems and what causes them.

Clogged Sewers and Drainage Pipes

Standard drainage pipes have holes in them to allow waste water from your home to seep into the ground. Roots in search for water can easily grow into these holes. Clogging and even completely blocking pipes.

Sidewalks and Cement Slabs

Roots can easily grow in the space under sidewalks and cement patio slabs. When the root matures and thickens, it lifts the cement causing it to strain and crack under the pressure.

Building Foundations

There’s common misconception that roots can penetrate poured concrete foundations and cause damage. In reality, it is the amount of water that roots suck from the soil around a foundation that will cause the soil to dry and contract. This movement of soil causes instability around the foundation and leads to possible damage.

Landscaping

Trees planted in landscape arrangements can quickly grow and force out other smaller bushes and plants. Ruining a carefully planned landscape arrangement and replacing ornamental plants with exposed and gnarled tree roots.

But if roots are so invasive and persistent, how can I ever stop them from damaging my property?

Dealing With The Damage

There are many different products and methods out there to help you unclog drains and destroy root systems.

Plumbers often recommend pouring toxic chemicals down your drain to kill tree roots. Or in some cases, use a long tool called an ‘auger’ that travels down your drain and actually saws away the roots in your sewage system.

These methods are generally only quick fixes and can lead to contaminated soil and sick trees.

Some landscapers will physically cut invasive tree roots and install a metal barrier. Stopping the roots from growing in that direction. This practice can severely damage or kill trees. Possibly causing the tree to be unstable and susceptible to blowing over in heavy winds.

But how can you avoid all of these expensive and time consuming procedures?

“An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Cure”

The wisdom of Benjamin Franklin can be applied to many situations including this one. Preventing root damage before it begins is the best alternative to ever dealing with clogged drains and cracking concrete.

Taking the time to plan the location and type of tree you plant on your property can save you a lot of time, money, and heartache.

Avoiding species like willows, maples, and aspens can help limit invasive root growth. Also, planting trees at least 10 feet from your foundation, sidewalks, and concrete slabs will help prevent structural damage and concrete cracking in the future.

Hire A Professional

When you hire a skilled, Certified Arborist you will benefit from their training and wisdom.

The experts at Northwest Arbor Culture Inc. have over 30 years of landscaping and tree care experience. We will help you plan and plant your trees so that you get the most out of your landscape while keeping you and your home safe.

Give us a call today at (503) 538-8733 to learn how we can help you with all of your landscaping and tree care needs across the Pacific Northwest.

Are tree roots damaging your home or landscape? Tell us your tree root stories in the ‘comments section’ below.

TIMBERRR!

We’ve all wanted to channel our inner lumberjack and chop down a tree. The ponderosa that’s been blocking your view of the mountains is begging to be taken out.

How hard could it really be?

Just grab your chainsaw and a buddy. You’ll be rid of that tree in no time.

Well, we’re here to tell you that’s just the sort of thinking that can get you seriously injured or even killed. An average of 80 people die in the United States each year due to tree care accidents. Countless others are injured.

This post will highlight some of the most common mistakes people make when trimming and chopping down trees.

We hope after reading this you will see the overwhelming advantages to hiring a professional tree service like Northwest Arbor-Culture Inc. for all your tree care needs.

Power Line Problems:

Heavy storms and powerful winds can cause trees to fall or lean against nearby power lines.

Many homeowners make the mistake of attempting to trim or drop trees away from the line hoping that they can prevent a tree or dead branch from falling on their home or car.

Power lines are not something to mess with. According to Preservation Tree, an electrical arc from a power line contains 25,000 watts of power reaching 2000 degrees F.

That’s a lot of power!

You should never touch a power line or any tree touching a power line. Even getting close to downed lines can be dangerous.

Power can travel from the downed line and through the ground, electrifying the area around it. One person died when he touched chipper 20 feet away from the source of the electricity.

Always call a city electrical official or a professional arborist when you notice a downed power line or fallen tree. Never attempt to fix electrical problems on your own.

Risky Heights:

Many DIY tree trimmers run serious risks when they climb trees and ladders. Even falling from a small height can cause serious injury or death.

People can be hurt when a supporting branch breaks and causes them to fall the ground. Also, human error often causes safety equipment to fail.

One man, who had accidentally cut through his safety line while sawing a branch, fell 50 feet to his death after leaning back to take a rest.

If you think a ladder will solve your height problems, reconsider. Ladders can be very unstable. It is easy to slip and fall from a ladder if you are stretching and straining while working at a high height. Using a chainsaw or power tools from a ladder is enough to make even a professional cringe.

That’s why experts often use bucket lifts to allow them to access even the tallest of branches in a safe way.

Avoid risky heights and dangerous drops. Let a professional Arborist with the proper tools help you trim your tall branches.

Chainsaw Injuries:

Sure, it looks easy to fire up a chainsaw and hack away at a tree trunk. But, there is a lot more to it than meets the eye.

Chainsaws are very powerful and dangerous tools. They can be very unpredictable and even the slightest contact with a moving chain can cause serious injury or death.

Inexperienced operators most commonly are injured because of incorrectly cutting in to a piece of wood, allowing the tip of the bar to be pinched causing ‘kickback’. In blink of an eye the saw kicks back and rapidly lunges back towards the operator. Kickback is the leading cause of chainsaw injury.

36,000 people are injured in chainsaw accidents every year. Don’t be one of them.

Contact a professional arborist and make sure you don’t become another safety statistic.

Falling Trees:

Finally, one of the most obvious dangers of cutting down a tree is the risk of the tree falling on you or someone else.

Trees contain a huge amount of water, foliage and wood weight that can crush homes and vehicles. A ¾ inch diameter branch falling from a tree can cause serious injury and death.

When felling a tree, the angle of your cut can usually determine the direction the
tree will fall. But, factors like wind, slope, wood-rot, and nearby trees can cause a
tree to fall in unwanted directions.

Also, a common phenomenon known as ‘barber chair’ happens when a tree splits and violently kicks back before it is completely cut.

Trees are large and powerful objects. If not cared for properly trees can become a liability instead of an asset to your property.

Our 30 years of professional knowledge and experience ensures that we get the job done right and within your budget.

The staff Northwest Arbor-Culture Inc. continuously exceed industry standards of excellence and upholds our philosophy of preservation, safety, and aesthetic enhancement.

Contact a Professional:

Many things can go wrong when trimming and cutting down trees. It takes a true expert to safely remove a tree.

Make sure that you asses the risks involved with tree trimming and removal before you consider beginning any tree care project. Hopefully you will see that it is always better to call in a professional service like Northwest Arbor-Culture Inc. to safely provide any tree care services that you need.

Have you ever attempted to trim trees on your own? Let us know what tree trimming challenges you’ve had in the ‘comments section’.