Waikato's weather can be severe - northwesterly winds, ex-tropical systems and sudden storms bring down trees and branches regularly. If you've had storm damage involving a tree, here's what to do.
First: assess the immediate risk
Before doing anything else, stay clear of the area and assess whether the tree or branches pose an immediate danger. Do not approach a tree that is: leaning against power lines, partially supported by a structure (roof, fence), or making cracking or settling noises.
If power lines are involved, call your power lines company (WEL Networks in most of Waikato) before anything else. Do not touch any lines or anything in contact with them.
Keep people and vehicles away from the area and call us on 022 167 1268. We offer 24-hour emergency callout for storm damage across Waikato.
Call your insurer early
If a tree has fallen onto your house, garage or other structure, call your home insurer before arranging removal if at all possible. Many policies require you to notify them before work starts, and some may want to inspect first or have their own preferred contractors.
If the situation is genuinely dangerous (tree through the roof in heavy rain, etc.), emergency work to make the property safe is typically allowed - document everything with photos before and after.
We can provide a written arborist assessment for your insurance claim documenting the cause of failure and circumstances of the event.
Dealing with partial failures and hanging branches
'Widow makers' - branches that have broken but are still hanging in the canopy - are one of the most dangerous situations in arboriculture. They can fall at any time with no warning, particularly when disturbed by further wind or when the debris they're resting on shifts.
Do not attempt to dislodge hanging branches yourself. Keep the area clear and call qualified arborists to deal with them safely.
After the emergency: assessing surviving trees
After a significant storm, it's worth having your remaining trees assessed by a qualified arborist - particularly any large trees near your house. Storms can cause hidden damage: root plate movement, co-dominant stem splits, internal cracking in the trunk, and branch unions that have been stressed but not yet failed.
We offer post-storm tree assessments across Waikato. Call 022 167 1268 or use our contact form to arrange a visit.
