CCM
  • Claims
  • Careers
  • CIRMA Members
  • Contact Us
CIRMA_Logo_Abv_FullColor.png
  • About CIRMA
    • Our History
    • Committees
    • Mission Statement
    • Excellence in Risk Management Award
  • Workers' Compensation
    • Workers’ Compensation Program Overview
    • Claims
    • Firefighter Accident Insurance Program
    • Heart & Hypertension Program
    • Risk Management Services
    • Risk Management Tools
    • Workplace Safety Center
    • Request a Quote
  • Liability Auto Property
    • Storm & Hazard Center
    • LAP Coverage Overview
    • LAP Policy Enhancements
    • Builders Risk
    • International Travel Insurance
    • TULIP - Tenant User Coverage
    • Employment Practices Liability Helpline Program
    • Claims
    • Risk Management Services
    • Risk Management Tools
    • Cyber Risks & Alerts
    • Request A Quote
  • Other Services
    • Contract Review
    • Heart & Hypertension Services
    • Fraud Investigation & Subrogation
    • Consultative Services
    • SIS
    • Request a Quote
  • Storm & Hazard Center
    • Summer Maintenance
    • Pre-Season Hurricane Preparations
    • Hurricane Preparations
    • HSB - Boiler & Equipment Maintenance
    • HSB - PREPARE Program
    • HSB - School Energy Efficiency Program
    • HSB - Electrical Assessment Tools
    • Hazard Trees
    • Ash Borer & Gypsy Moth Infestation
    • After a Flood
    • Cold Weather Property Preparation
    • Winter Storms
    • Slip & Fall Prevention
    • Lightning Protection - Fire
    • Lightning Protection-Surge Protectors
    • Sports Safety Heat Stress
  • LAP Coverage Overview
  • LAP Policy Enhancements
  • Builders Risk
  • International Travel Insurance
  • TULIP
  • Employment Practices Helpline Program
  • Claims
  • Risk Management Services
  • Risk Management Tools
  • Cyber Risks & Alerts
  • Request a Quote
  • Training & Education Programs
  • Learning Media Library
  • Publications
  • News & Events
  • Claims

After the Storm: Risk Management for Hazard Trees


To report a property loss, please use the following contact information:

Online: CIRMA ClaimCentral

E-mail: lapnewclaims@ccm-ct.org        Phone: 800.526.1647  |  After-Hours Emergency Line: 203.823.6896
Sherri Adams, Liability-Auto-Property Claims Unit Manager  Business: 203.946.3752 

Brian Carabetta, Sr., Property Claims Representative   Business: 203.946.3764    Work Cell: 203.503.0317      


(Report Workers' Compensation claims online at CIRMA ClaimCentral)

After the Storm: Hazard Trees

After a major wind storm, many dangerous hanging branches ("hangers" or "widow-makers") and other defects to trees may remain in public areas. They pose a hazard to workers performing clean-up operations and to the general public. 
According to the Connecticut General Statute 23-59, Powers of Tree Warden, Section D - Discretionary Removal or Pruning of Trees:

  • The Tree Warden has the power to remove or prune any tree extending into the public right of way whenever, in his or her opinion, public safety demands removal or pruning. If the tree is an immediate hazard, the tree warden can remove it immediately. (A posted notice and the 10-day waiting period are not required.)
  • There is no mandatory inspection requirement.
  • The Tree Warden is not obligated to remove or prune any specific tree. This power is discretionary; however, once a tree or tree debris is determined by the Tree Warden to be a hazard, it should be pruned or removed as soon as possible to minimize liability exposure to the Town.
  • The Tree Warden has the option to retain private tree services to accomplish removal.

CIRMA advises that a person trained in hazard tree assessment review trees and assess them for dangerous conditions. CIRMA recommends that members act promptly on reports of problems and when problems are identified; when in doubt, remove the tree or limbs.

The Connecticut Tree Wardens manual is a good source of information for conducting tree risk hazard assessment. If you have questions or require additional information on tree surveys and tree risk assessments, please contact Robert Ricard, Extension Educator, Urban & Community Forestry at Robert.Ricard@uconn.edu.

If your municipality or school district hires third-party contractors to perform tree cutting operations and debris removal, please consult the CIRMA Best Practice Guide on Risk Transfer for information on contracts and indemnity agreements.

Please contact your Risk Management Consultant with any questions.

Removing Fallen Trees

Crews should use follow these precautions during tree clean-up:  Tree Removal-Brush; Chain Saws;  Chippers;  Refueling Equipment.




 

CIRMA_Logo_Full_White_trans.png
  • Site Map
  • Privacy Statement
  • Copyright Statement

 

CONNECTICUT INTERLOCAL RISK MANAGEMENT AGENCY
545 Long Wharf Drive, 8th Floor | New Haven, CT 06511-5950 | 203-946-3700

 

 

Copyright © 2022. Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency. All Rights Reserved.

Website Design: TCC Web Interactive a Division of The Computer Company, Inc.