Foresters Urge Caution in Dealing With Downed Trees

Trees damaged by the ice storm can be hazardous. That's the word from Jasen Stock, executive director of the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association.

He says homeowners need to be extraordinarily careful removing downed trees from their property.

In many cases, he says, you should call a local arborist or tree surgeon for help.

"It is just so imperative that people be careful around these trees. They're very heavy, they can look like a small tree - six, eight inches in diameter and you can think 'oh, that tree isn't that large,' but it is still extremely heavy and if it comes down on a piece of equipment or, worse yet, a person, it can really damage them."

The cost of tree removal rises depending on how hazardous the situation is. Stock says it can cost hundreds of dollars or more to remove a tree that has fallen on a building or that is caught in power lines.

For NHPR News, I'm Elaine Grant.