Recognizing signs of dangerous debris and what to do

REDDING, Calif. — If you have traveled along the roads, street and highways, chances are you have come across trees and limbs that have either broken off or uprooted from the ground due to the recent heavy wind, rain, and snow that has plagued the Northstate from the winter weather.

Prior to the snow storm a few weeks ago, thousands of tree limbs have affected the roadway and has been cleared off however, tree limbs can potentially fall anytime. Redding Utility and tree cutting service company called NorCal Tree Expert were out on Monday answering to call services. Eric Jablonowski, owner of NorCal tree Expert said there are telling signs that indicated a tree limb or tree may fall.

"Look for any of the ground disturbed or look at the base of the trees to see if it's been, you know, if there's any crack or split in it. And if so, they should have it dealt with quickly," Jablonowski said.

Redding Utility Supervising Arborist Jim Calhoun explained the kind of trees to watch out for have limbs that are prone to breaking off or uprooting.

"With the wind blowing, the rain, trees are going to uproot because that have their leaves, Live Oaks, so I'd be looking at the Live Oak trees and Grapevines, anything. Tree that has needles or leaves through the winter time, I would focus on," Calhoun explained.

Calhoun said crews have been busy nonstop with numerous calls for service in the city.

"I had ten tags from our troublemen sitting on our desk this morning from yesterday, Sunday and today; I've received probably seven or eight calls from the office and the troublmen," Calhoun said.

He believes it will slow down eventually once the heavy wind dies down however he believed they will continue to be busy all week and expects to see more broken limbs and will have to continue their clean up throughout the city.

As for tree cutting companies, Jablonowski said their tree cutting business will be busy for months to come leading into summer. If homeowners or individuals are concerned their tree may fall or break, Jablonowski advises calling a local tree cutting service company to assess the tree. If individuals or drivers come across a limb that has fallen on the side of a street or road, they should call REU for service to clear the limbs from the road.