SPRINGFIELD, Missouri (KY3) – Drivers driving down Clay Avenue on Friday noticed what happened to a home north of Division Street.
A large oak tree fell onto the porch and roof of the living room. An independent contractor told KY3 the family inside the house was unharmed, while a neighbor said it looked like the tree was ready to be cut down. Noel Boyer, arborist and owner of All About Trees, said the problem was pretty obvious.
“If a tree is left standing dead, it’s a gamble,” Boyer said. “They’ll start to decay and rot, and in a big storm they could fall over. But it could also be a day like today when there’s absolutely no wind, and they just don’t have the strength to support all the weight anymore.”
The fallen tree had no leaves on its branches. It also had hollow branches and its trunk was hollowed out. Boyer says that such falls are more common than you would think. He also names a main reason why they happen.
“We find that people often cannot take care of a dangerous tree due to financial constraints,” Boyer said. “Removing that tree would have cost thousands of dollars. Now that it’s fallen and is in the middle of a house, it’s even more expensive. Proper tree care is expensive, like anything else, and it’s dangerous work.”
In such situations, tree experts say insurance companies decide who is at fault. Regardless, experts advise homeowners to be proactive to avoid such situations. If you see a tree of concern on your neighbor’s property, let them know so an arborist can be contacted for an inspection.
If it’s on your property, use word of mouth and online reviews to find reputable companies with arborists on staff. Additionally, Boyer advises making sure the company you do business with is insured.
“Make sure they have general liability and workers’ compensation insurance,” Boyer said. “That’s pretty much an indicator of a reputable tree service company, as they have all the necessary insurance to protect you and also their own workers.”
After a homeowner removes a dead tree and wants to plant a new one, they should stick to native trees such as oak, maple, hickory, walnut, hackberry and birch, which are hardwoods, unlike conifers.
If a homeowner needs to remove a tree or thinks it will happen soon, they should save up. Set some money aside as a reserve so you can cover the potential costs. In addition to comparing quotes from several tree care companies, ask if they have financing options or if they know of any assistance to help cover the costs.
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