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:
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.
Hurried cities, fast trains, responsibilities that never end. It’s no surprise many of us are stressed. What might surprise you is that something as simple as spending time in a forest can reduce stress, lower your blood pressure, and even help you sleep. Even just a five-minute walk through the trees can make a difference.
I wish I could bring the forest to you, but sadly I can’t. So I’ll give you the next best thing: a virtual tour through six of the most tranquil and soothing trees in the world.
Before we get started, here’s some calming music to listen to as you read.
This desert beauty is commonly called the Joshua tree, but its actual name is the yucca brevifolia. It thrives in the Mojave Desert and produces gorgeous creamy white flowers in the spring.
Your eyes aren’t deceiving you. A sleeping Buddha rests in this 50-year-old fig tree in Wat Mahatat, Ayutthaya historical park. You might be wondering what Buddha’s head is doing in the tree, but the truth is, no one knows exactly how he got there. Some people think the tree simply grew around his head, and he has stayed there ever since.
As if you needed another excuse to take a trip to the French countryside.
These colors were on display in France during fall months. The wooden bridge, orange leaves, and looming fog make this scene almost creepy — but no less beautiful.
The winter of 2011 brought a huge snowstorm to Shanghai. It stopped hundreds of buses, flights, and construction sites all over the city. The result was this beautiful white stillness.
Are you feeling relaxed yet?
5. Los Angeles, CA, USA
Let’s journey back to the USA to appreciate the glory that is this lanky palm tree in the California sunset.
Most people don’t know that the palm tree’s true name is arecaceae. Palm trees are resilient and versatile — they can live anywhere from rainforests to deserts.
Imagine sitting on the bench beneath this giant tree, listening to the sound of the water. What could be more tranquil?
Seattle, like our home in Portland, has no shortage of native trees. Many of them lose their leaves in the winter; others don’t.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed this journey through the world’s virtual forests. Don’t forget to take a break every now and then to appreciate one in person. If you’re like most people, a stroll through a green, park-like setting is more likely to calm your mind than a walk through city streets.
Even wild hunters, like this majestic spotted leopard, can’t help but relax around trees.
Is that song still playing? Our tour is almost over. Just for fun, which tree was your favorite? Weigh in on this poll and see if others agreed with you.
How do you use nature to help you relax? Have a favorite outdoor spot? Tell us in the comments?
Beautiful trees can add a lot to the value and look of your property. On the same token, trees that aren’t well cared for can detract from the value of your property and actually create a risk for property damage and personal injury.
When you choose an arborist you’re making an investment in the entire value and safety of you and your property.
There are many tree trimming services out there, with many different prices and business models. What’s the difference between all of them and what makes one better than the other?
This article will outline what it means to be a Certified Arborist and why you should always hire a Certified Arborist for all of your tree care needs.
What is a Certified Arborist:
A Certified Arborist is a Tree Care Professional who is certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (The ISA).
Defined by the ISA, Certified Arborists are individuals “who have achieved a level of knowledge in the art and science of tree care through experience and by passing a comprehensive examination developed by some of the nation’s leading experts on tree care.”
What Does It Take To Become a Certified Arborist?
The ISA is an organization formed to ensure that arborists are adhering to the most recent and strict tree care and safety methods. This not only ensures the safety of you and your property, but for the worker as well.
Becoming a Certified Arborist doesn’t just mean that the professional has passed a test when beginning their career. To be a Certified Arborist one must constantly participate in continuing education. Always learning the most recent tree care methods. Renewing their certification every three years.
Being a Certified Arborist means that the professional is always keeping up on the latest safety standards and equipment maintenance protocols. Knowing how to properly use and repair their equipment. Ensuring that your trees are cared for properly and that the worker is properly insured and practices safety at all times.
Does Experience Replace ISA Certification?
Just because a professional has years of experience trimming trees, it doesn’t mean that they are actually practicing correct tree care methods.
Many common historical practices like wound dressing and tree topping are actually quite ineffective and even harmful to trees.
Staying up-to-date on tree infections, pests, equipment safety, roping and climbing practices, aerial rescue methods, tree care science, etc. are all crucial aspects of tree care that are constantly changing and being updated.
Hiring an ISA Certified Arborist means that you will receive the most current tree care methods available from a professional who knows.
High Quality Services:
When you hire a Certified Arborist you know you are employing someone who cares about their business. A professional who takes the time to stay certified and always learn more about their craft.
If you are looking for cut-rate bids on tree care services, chances are, you will get cut rate services. Possibly leading to damaged trees and more costs down the road in repairs and maintenance.
But when you find a Certified Arborists who takes the time to stay trained and up-to-date. Always maintaining their equipment and certifications. You can rest easy knowing that you are making an investment in the long-term health of your trees. In turn investing in the value and safety of your property.
It pays to hire a Certified Arborist.
Where Can I Find a Certified Arborist?
You can always look directly on the ISA website to find a Certified Arborist in your area, as well as, check on a specific Certified Arborist’s credentials.
Our professional Certified Arborists have over 30 years of experience caring for trees and provide the highest quality arborist services in the Northwest.
“What If My Tree Falls On My Neighbor’s House?”
“What If My Tree Falls On My Neighbor’s House?”
You can always look directly on the 
