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Damaged trees still pose threat to D.C. neighborhoods

WASHINGTON – As stormy weather remains in the region’s forecast, the good news is that it won’t be nearly as severe as Friday’s storm – but it does mean more trees could fall.

John Thomas, assistant director of Urban Forestry for the District, says the trees that have already fallen only represent part of the problem.

“A lot of trees just sustained stress damage,” says Thomas. “They got small cracks and fissures.”

Trees that were damaged but are still standing have a high risk of falling during the next storm, even if it’s not a major weather event.

“It’s stuff you can’t see,” Thomas says. “It’s like a stress fracture on your arm.”

If D.C. residents have safety concerns about trees or tree branches in their neighborhood, they can call 311 to report it.

WTOP’s Mark Segraves contributed to this report. Follow Mark and WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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