Severe weather can bring down large trees across the Gold Coast, blocking access, damaging fences and buildings or creating hazards around a property.
Even once a tree has fallen, it may not be safe to approach or cut. Large sections of timber can remain under tension, branches may be supporting the trunk and damaged root systems can make sections of the tree unstable.
Professional storm damage tree removal allows these hazards to be assessed before the tree is dismantled and the affected area cleared.
This article explains what to look out for after a storm and how large fallen trees can be safely managed and removed.
Why Fallen Trees Are More Dangerous Than They Appear
A tree that has already fallen can still present significant hazards. Trunks and branches may be under tension because they are bent, twisted or supported by other parts of the tree. Cutting these sections can cause them to move suddenly.
Branches may also be caught in fences, buildings or other trees, while a partially uprooted tree can remain unstable as its weight shifts.
Storm damage isn’t always obvious either. Cracks and splits in trunks or major branches can affect how the tree behaves during removal.
For property owners, the safest approach is to keep clear of large fallen or partially fallen trees until they have been assessed.
Assessing Storm Damage on Your Property
After severe weather, keep people and pets away from fallen trees and damaged branches until you know the area is safe.
From a safe distance, look for fallen trees, hanging branches, split trunks, exposed roots and trees that have developed a new or significant lean.
Particular care is needed where trees or branches are close to powerlines. Do not approach or attempt to move vegetation that is touching or may be in contact with powerlines.
Photos may also be useful if you need to contact your insurer, provided they can be taken without approaching the damaged tree or entering an unsafe area.
What Professional Storm Damage Tree Removal Involves
The way a storm-damaged tree is removed depends on how it has fallen, what is supporting it and what surrounds the work area.
Before removal begins, the tree and site need to be assessed for hazards such as unstable sections, surrounding buildings, access restrictions and nearby services.
Large trees may need to be dismantled in controlled sections rather than cut and removed in one piece. Rigging, elevated work platforms, cranes and other specialised equipment can be used where required to manage large or difficult sections of the tree.
Once the immediate hazard has been dealt with, remaining timber and debris can be cleared from the site. Stump grinding may also be arranged where the stump needs to be removed for access, landscaping or future works.
Trees Near Structures and Powerlines
Trees or branches that have fallen onto or near powerlines require particular care.
If a tree or branch is touching a powerline, keep well clear and contact the relevant electricity network provider. Do not assume a line is safe because the power appears to be out.
The requirements for tree work near powerlines depend on the location of the tree, its proximity to the lines and the type of work required. Coordination with the electricity network provider may also be necessary before tree work can proceed.
Emergency Tree Removal and Insurance
If a tree has damaged your home, fence, vehicle or other property, your insurer may require photographs, invoices or other information about the damage and work completed.
Insurance policies and claim requirements vary, so contact your insurer when it is safe to do so and ask what documentation they require.
Where there is an immediate hazard, the priority is keeping people away from the affected area and arranging appropriate assistance. If emergency tree work is required, keeping photographs and records of the work may also be useful for any subsequent insurance claim.
Reducing Tree Risks Before Storm Season
Not all storm damage can be predicted or prevented. However, having trees assessed and maintained can help identify some problems before severe weather arrives.
Issues that may warrant assessment include dead or damaged branches, visible decay or cracks, changes in a tree’s lean, previous storm damage or concerns about trees growing close to buildings and other frequently used areas.
Where problems are identified, an arborist can recommend whether pruning, monitoring, removal or another approach is appropriate.
Clearing Multiple Storm-Damaged Trees
Where severe weather damages multiple trees across a larger property, the clean-up may require more than individual tree removal.
Depending on the extent of the damage, land clearing equipment can assist with removing damaged vegetation, processing larger volumes of material and clearing affected areas.
Treesafe has the equipment to manage larger storm clean-ups as well as individual fallen trees, allowing the approach to be matched to the scale and access requirements of the property.
Why Large Fallen Trees Need Professional Removal
Large storm-damaged trees can contain significant weight and tension, making their behaviour difficult to predict when sections are cut or moved.
Removing them safely may require specialist equipment and controlled dismantling techniques, particularly where the tree has fallen against a building, fence or another tree.
For property owners, attempting to cut up a large or unstable fallen tree can create unnecessary risk. Having the situation assessed first allows an appropriate removal method to be planned around the tree and surrounding property.
Storm Damage Tree Removal Across the Gold Coast
After severe weather, large fallen or damaged trees may need to be assessed and removed before an affected area can be safely used again.
Treesafe provides professional storm damage tree removal across the Gold Coast, including complex removals involving large trees, restricted access and surrounding structures.
If you have a fallen or unstable tree following a storm, contact Treesafe to discuss the situation and the appropriate next step.