Things You Probably Didn’t Know About a Falling Tree
I’m Ed Smith, a tree injury lawyer in Sacramento. While a beautiful tree can raise the property value of a home by, according to some estimates, as much as 10 percent, larger trees present a risk. Occasionally, trees will fall over and, when they do, they often cause property damage and serious injuries.
Sacramento Tree Accident
An incident that occurred in Sacramento serves as an essential example of the damage that a falling tree can cause. Last month, high winds affecting the area uprooted trees and knocked down branches all across Northern California, but none so significant as the enormous cedar tree that fell down on the home of a Sacramento family.
KCRA Incident Report
What Happened?
At around 7:00 a.m., a massive cedar tree planted in the driveway of the home of The Newell Family of Sacramento. Members of the family reported hearing the tree cracking and thinking the sound had merely been thunder before the tree collided with their home. When the tree hit the house, one family member noted, it sounded “like a bomb.”
Mother Riki Newell said that the tree “threw (her daughters) across the room.” as it fell. After moving her family to a safe section of the house, Riki went outside to survey the damage and discovered that the tree had also crushed two of her family’s vehicles.
Reports indicate that the damage to the house was significant. Newell told reporters that, had the top of her home been unable to prevent the tree from falling further, she doesn’t know what would have happened.
How To Spot a Dangerous Tree
Many people are unaware of the warning signs that signal a tree may be in danger of falling over. While large trees should be checked by certified arborists at least every three years, there are a few indicators that you can look out for:
- Tree lean. If a tree begins to lean over time, it may one day fall. This is especially true if the tree is leaning east, as most strong winds come from the west.
- Large dead branches or branches dying off starting at the distal end, or tip.
- Thin leaf cover or leaves that fall early.
- Raised or cracked soil at the base of the tree.
- Visible tree roots.
- Mushrooms growing at the base of the tree.
- Deep cavities, especially in the lower sections of the tree.
- Fine or coarse sawdust on the ground near the tree. If you notice this, it may indicate a wood-eating bug infestation that can weaken your tree to the point of falling over.
Staying Safe
To avoid accidents involving serious injuries and property damage, you should inspect your trees often and get them checked out immediately if you think you see warning signs of decay. It is also important to have your trees checked after major weather events like extreme winds and storms.
Finally, frequent professional prunings can extend the life of your trees and, consequently, keep your home safe.
More by Ed Smith, Tree Injury Lawyer in Sacramento
Tree Injury Lawyer in Sacramento
I’mEd Smith, a tree injury lawyer in Sacramento. If a falling tree has damaged your property or injured you or a family member, call me for friendly, free legal advice about claiming compensation. You can reach me by calling (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.
For 36 years, I’ve helped Sacramento residents with cases involving personal injury and wrongful death.
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We’ve won verdicts and reached settlements worth more than $1,000,000 for injured clients. Because of this, I appear as a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
See our Prior Verdicts and Settlements here.
I founded the top site in Northern California for data, info, and news on personal injuries and auto collisions, AutoAccident.com
pic: “the dangerous arch created by the falling beech tree – Ashridge” by Chris Reynolds via Creative-Commons.0
: ms cv