LEAWOOD, Kan. — Winter Storm Gia pummeled the metro with wet, heavy snow that weighed down limbs and left thousands without power.
As utility crews got to work over the weekend, so did tree removal companies. Three local companies that responded to emergency calls Sunday said the real work, removing the debris, begins Monday and could last for more than a month.
Ward Tree Care fielded 50 calls Sunday alone.
"As I was driving around, it's kind of like every house, every street," Ward Tree Care owner Anthony Ward said of the damage.
He as his crew worked to remove branches from the roof of a Leawood home.
"This is a River Birch, and it was pretty heavy," Ward said. "It's so thick at the top, so it just bent it all the way down and broke."
According to Ward, softwoods like pines and spruces are impacted most by storms like this one. That's why it is important to have such trees trimmed every three to four years.
Ward also had advice for homeowners looking to hire companies in the coming weeks — make sure the business is professionally licensed and insured.
"If they don't have worker's comp and one of the guys gets injured, then they could sue the homeowner," Ward said.
Legitimate companies may cost a little more, but it's a lot better than ending up out on a limb with a lawsuit.
The Better Business Bureau has some advice, too. Here are the red flags you should look for when hiring a tree removal service:
- Soliciting door-to-door for business
- Only accepts cash payments
- Vague about formal credentials
