Trees, Storm Damage & Debris Cleanup Around Grand Lake

What should I check first after a storm?

Safety first: downed or sagging power lines, trees leaning on structures, and hanging limbs still in the canopy. Treat every downed line as energized and call the utility. Do not work under a hung limb.

Photograph damage before cleanup if insurance may be involved.

• Downed, sagging or tree-contacting power lines — call the utility, stay clear
• Trees leaning against a house, garage, dock or vehicle
• Broken limbs still suspended in the canopy ('widowmakers')
• Cracked trunks, split forks and lifted root plates
• Debris blocking driveways, ramps or emergency access
• Storm debris on the shoreline and in the water near docks

How do I tell if a tree is a hazard?

The common warning signs are a lean that appeared or worsened after the storm, soil heaved or cracked around the base, a split in a main fork, large dead limbs in the canopy, and cavities or fungal growth at the trunk base.

A tree can look fine from the driveway and still have a compromised root plate. When a tree is within falling distance of a house, dock, driveway or power line, an in-person assessment is worth more than a photo opinion.

What cleanup is reasonable to do myself?

Ground-level work on small material: gathering limbs and brush already on the ground, raking debris, and hauling manageable loads. Anything requiring a ladder, a chainsaw above shoulder height, or work near a structure or line is a different job.

The injuries in storm cleanup cluster around chainsaws, ladders and stored tension in bent or pinned limbs. If you are not certain how a piece of wood will move when it is cut, that is the signal to stop.

When should removal be left to professionals?

Ask any crew for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage before work begins. Storms attract out-of-area operators; the coverage question filters most of them out.

• Any tree or limb in contact with, or near, power lines
• Trees leaning on or over a structure, dock or vehicle
• Work that requires climbing, a ladder or an aerial lift
• Large trunks, spring-loaded limbs or trees under tension
• Removals near a shoreline where equipment access and bank stability matter
• Standing dead trees of any significant size

What about debris in the water and along the shoreline?

Floating limbs and timber tend to gather in coves and against docks after a storm. Removing loose debris above and around the bank is routine, but work that alters the shoreline, moves soil or affects a permitted dock structure may fall under GRDA requirements.

Confirm requirements with GRDA at https://www.grda.com before shoreline alteration, vegetation management, excavation or stabilization work. See the 360GrandLake shoreline cleanup guide for more detail.

How is storm debris disposed of?

Options are hauling to an approved disposal or green-waste site, chipping on site, or burning where it is currently permitted. Burn bans are issued at the county level and are common in dry periods — check the current status before planning to burn.

After widespread storms, counties and municipalities sometimes organize temporary debris collection. Confirm any such program and its rules with your county or city rather than assuming pickup.

How do I reduce storm damage next time?

• Have large trees near structures inspected periodically, not only after damage
• Remove dead limbs and standing dead trees before storm season rather than after
• Keep canopy clear of the roof line and service drop
• Clear brush accumulation that blocks access for equipment
• Address drainage that undermines root plates on sloped lots

Frequently asked questions