Knox Hills and Housing Services Office authorities at Fort Knox are asking residents in the housing areas to be aware of how seasonal storms may turn trees and branches into widowmakers.
"Generally speaking, we don't have major issues with trees or big limbs [falling down], but there's always a bit of seasonal cleanup," said John Bredehoeft, the project director with Knox Hills. "Severe storms can create problems."
Routine checks of housing areas, however, usually means maintenance crews are ahead of the storms, according to Bredehoeft.
"Our normal processes and routines prevent [falling limbs and trees] from being problematic," Bredehoeft said. "[We] conduct regular assessments of our housing areas and identify trees that might pose an issue."
Knox Hills also thwarts potential problems with preventive maintenance.
"Our landscape contractor raises the canopy of trees up to 10 feet from the ground every year to [alleviate] the issue," he said. "We trim trees to remove branches that appear dead or dying, and may remove potentially dangerous trees in a worst--case scenario."
For their part, residents should contact Knox Hills and steer clear of suspect trees.
"For minor limbs, we have allowed the practice where residents may pile up limbs for the contractor to pick up, but we ask residents to steer clear of any serious issues like a hanging branch or a tree that looks like it's in jeopardy. [If needs be,] we will tape off the area to ensure the safety of all residents.
"Our first priority is the safety of our residents and their families. Call it in but stay well away from the area to avoid injury or any unnecessary risk."
Bredehoeft said wait times for limb or tree removal varies but might be expedited depending on the circumstances.
"[The wait time] will depend upon the situation," he said. "A routine overgrown tree with annoying low hanging limbs may not be the safety concern that an obviously dead or dying tree with big limbs falling from it is. We send somebody out to assess and determine the scope of what must be done."
Residents should make their concerns known if they think the issue is serious, said Bredehoeft.
"It is important that residents provide as much information as possible during the initial call so we can identify the issue quickly," Bredehoeft said. "We will typically provide an assessment within two business days. If there is a special kind of safety concern, the assessment will be made within the hour of the initial phone call, and the tree might be completely removed within one day of the call."
Eric Hamilton, Fort Knox Housing Services Office deputy, said the worth trees bring to their neighborhoods is invaluable, but for the sake of safety they should be enjoyed within the boundaries of established guidelines.
"They can drop dead limbs and debris [without warning] onto people on the ground," Hamilton said. "To be safe, residents should familiarize themselves with the Knox Hills Resident Guide at https://home.army.mil/knox/index.php/about/Garrison/directorate-public-works/housing-rci.
The guide informs residents they are not permitted to hang tree swings, hammocks, or attach anything to trees because they can pose a hazard to them.
Residents are encouraged to call maintenance-related issues in to the Knox Hills Maintenance Dispatch line at 502-799-6565 or use the resident portal of the Knox Hills website at https://home.army.mil/knox/index.php/about/Garrison/directorate-public-works/housing-rci.
"Bottom line, if you have a concern, call it in," Bredehoeft said. "We're happy to come and take a look, and to get the proper people on site to make a solid determination of what needs to be done."
For concerns with hanging limbs or dead trees outside of neighborhoods but still in the cantonment area, a work order with the tree's location, to include street name and building number, may be submitted via email at usarmy.knox.imcom-atlantic.mbx.dpw-work-orders@mail.mil.
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