Look Out Below: Tree Limbs Can Drop Suddenly During Summer Weather

Press release from the City of Claremont:

05/25/2021

Trees perform a process known as evapotranspiration. Evapotranspiration is when trees draw up extreme amounts of water during the day, and then, through their leaves, they release moisture into the air. But on a hot day or a sudden drop in temperature; the tree does not get the opportunity to shed out the moisture it withdrew, and the increased weight will cause the limb to drop. In most cases, there are not any obvious signs the tree’s limbs are in distress. A fallen limb will often look like it has feathery cuts, healthy green and pliable with no signs of disease or pest infestations. Now that we are entering warmer summer months, limbs will begin to fall more frequently. Not all limbs that fall are an emergency.

What to do when a limb drops?

• Small limbs can easily be placed in the green waste container. It is helpful to the City for residents to put small limbs in the green waste container. This allows staff to focus on larger higher priority tasks.
• Medium limbs may not fit the green waste container but are not necessarily an emergency. Medium size limbs can easily be pulled to the side to allow for pedestrian and vehicle travel. Call Community Services at the phone number below. Community Services will pick up the limb as time allows.
• Large limbs that are blocking the street, sidewalk, or on private property that cannot be easily moved call Community Services immediately.

Helpful information when reporting a limb down:

• Location. The more details or exact address the better.
• Contact information. In case follow-up is necessary.
• Is the tree blocking the right-of-way (i.e. sidewalk, street)
• Is anyone injured or is there property damage?
• Size of the limb including length and diameter. If exact measurements are not available use common objects to describe.
  • Examples
    • About the length of a bus and diameter of a beach ball.
    • About the size of a baseball bat.
    • About 12’ in length and the diameter of my arm.

Providing as many details as possible is helpful in deploying the appropriate response. Not all downed limbs will be taken care of immediately. Community Services will prioritize response by the information that is given.

As a reminder, during these hot summer months, trees require adequate water. Please refer to the following page on the City’s website for proper watering tips: Trees | City of Claremont

For more information or to report a limb down, please contact Community Services at (909) 399-5431.

This press release was produced by the City of Claremont. The views expressed here are the author’s own.