Tree falls on house after recent rain storm

Another rain storm moves thru the Mid-South and another tree falls on a house. It is a scenario that seems to happen over and over. Despite the frequency of trees falling on homes and autos the risk factor never seems to go down when it comes to dishonest people offering to help remove a fallen tree.

You can only imagine the noise a giant tree like this one makes when it comes crashing into a home.  Lashonddra Brown and Jessica Patton  just moved in the day before.

Brown said, "well this morning we was all getting ready in the house and we heard a big ole noise, a boom and when I looked out the tree had fell on our house and I just moved here...and look...now we go to where to go now."

Patton said, "and what did you hear....the same noise cause it knocked the power out...scared me."

It is a scary situation and it happens a lot in the Mid-South. Unfortunately along with the falling trees comes a low form of human being who will say and do anything to take your money, and even do the job. It happened recently to another homeowner, but the Better Business Bureau was able to help her hold onto her money.

Randy Hutchinson from the BBB says, "actually somebody knocked on her door said looks like you have some trees that need to be trimmed or removed and by the time all is said and done she paid about $10,000 for what a reputable tree trimmer said should have cost her $450....450 dollars? 450 dollars."

The good news is the Better Business Bureau had a picture of the man on file and the police caught up with him and the money before both were gone.

Anyone with a chain saw can claim to be a professional tree trimmer.  The BBB has a list of approved bonded, insured tree companies you can trust.

That is not to say tree removal is cheap.  Depending on the size of the tree and the degree of difficulty in removing it the price can exceed $15,000 or more.

  "Trees have to be managed and that's right when we can come in take a look if a tree is healthy see if it needs to come down...if corrective measures can be taken to keep the tree around so it can be enjoyed or maybe the case is it needs to be removed and have new tree planted," says Britt Hubbard, arborist.

Keep in mind it is always better to remove a tree before it falls on a house, a car, or someone.  And because you plan for it, the cost can be controlled.

So what happens to the wood after it's removed from a home?  Well, the good stuff is made into things like coffee tables and frames for mirrors and even coasters for your fine coffee table. The other stuff well, it can be turned into firewood.  This is the hardwood capital of the world and that can work for you or that can work against you.