Pittsburg, PA

Protecting your home from tree damage before severe weather strikes

Published

2 years ago

May 22, 2024

Protecting your home from tree damage before severe weather strikes

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — One of the biggest threats during severe weather is the trees in your yard.

Summer isn’t here just yet, but Southwestern Pennsylvania has seen its fair share of intense weather, including 10 tornadoes this month, and more severe weather could be on the way this week.

Can you do anything to make sure your trees are stormproof? KDKA-TV went to the professionals who were out on a job Tuesday to find out.

Monster Tree Service of North Pittsburgh is staying busy keeping trees healthy, removing trees before severe weather hits, and answering calls after storms send trees crashing down onto yards, homes, or vehicles.

Owner of Monster Tree Service of North Pittsburgh, Cindy Starr Stewart, said every tree poses a risk, especially the ones close to your home.

“We don’t have a crystal ball, so people often want us to come and want us to know if this tree is safe. We don’t know. There’s trees that look like they’re going to fall, and they stand forever, and there’s trees that look perfectly fine, then a storm comes through, and they fall,” she said.

Stewart said to help maintain a tree and make it healthier, don’t do volcano mulching that buries the trunk in mulch, and get the tree pruned if it has a lot of leaves and branches because they act like a sail in the wind.

“One of the things people have to understand is what kind of risk are they willing to take, and if branches are hanging over their home, especially if they haven’t had them pruned recently, one of the things you can do is get some of that deadwood pruned out of your trees,” Stewart said.

She said that dead trees can be easy to spot, including if there are no leaves on them right now.

“If you look up in a tree and see areas that aren’t leafing like they used to, and they seem thinner than other areas. The other things you’re looking for are splits or cracks in the tree,” Stewart said.

Keep in mind that it’s always cheaper and safer to take down a tree while it’s alive.

“Because once it’s dead, it’s a lot more expensive to take care of and a lot more dangerous,” Stewart said.

So, when should you call a certified arborist to take a look?

“If people are looking out at their trees and they see, ‘I have trees that are close to my house, I have trees that keep dropping dead wood in my yard, I have trees that if they did fall it would take out my home,’” Stewart said.

Tree removals can cost thousands of dollars, but Monster Tree Service and most other tree service companies do consultations at no cost. They help you make a good decision on whether to maintain or remove a tree.

“We’re here to help; we are like on the front line, and we know that, and so we are always in the ready, always paying attention to the weather, and ready to help people because it is scary. It’s a big deal,” Stewart said.

“Keeping your trees safe and healthy is really important, and it’s an investment. It’s an investment in your property, it’s an investment in your homes, [and] it’s an investment in your peace of mind for your family,” she added.

Check your home insurance to find out what your coverage is to make sure you’d be covered if a tree fell on your home, and remember, if a neighbor’s tree falls on your property, the damages become your responsibility.

Very few home insurance policies help with preventing tree damage. Steward said a home equity line of credit usually provides the best rate for tree removal projects.

Jessica Guay

Jessica Guay joined KDKA as a reporter in February 2021. Before joining KDKA, Jessica was a morning anchor and reporter at WJAC in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She was also an anchor and reporter at WCHS in Charleston, West Virginia, and at WTOV in Steubenville, Ohio.

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Pittsburg, PA

‘Wandering Minstrel’ Chuck Watts has died at 74

Published

3 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

‘Wandering Minstrel’ Chuck Watts has died at 74

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Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh Penguins Will Trade Rickard Rakell To Ottawa Senators

Published

15 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

Pittsburgh Penguins Will Trade Rickard Rakell To Ottawa Senators

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins were in trade rumors all summer long, but the front office elected to hold onto multiple veteran players. Pittsburgh has wanted to get younger across the roster, but with so many older players on the team, this has been a little difficult.

*PREDICTION*

One player who was subject to rumors this year has been veteran Rickard Rakell, who is coming off a career year with Pittsburgh. Rakell scored 35 goals and had 35 assists for Pittsburgh last season, playing in 81 games during the regular season.

The veteran has dealt with some injuries this year that have limited his time on the ice so far. The Penguins have held a high asking price for the veteran, but moving him could net them some strong assets for the future.

Rakell still has three years left on his current contract, and he is scheduled to make $5 million each season. This could impact some potential deals, with opposing teams likely wanting the Penguins to eat some of the salary.

It remains to be seen if the Penguins’ front office will end up trading Rakell, but he could be a strong candidate. Multiple teams have inquired about him, and the Penguins will be a team to watch closely as the trade deadline approaches next month.

Penguins Move Rickard Rakell to Ottawa

As the Penguins assess the future of multiple guys on the roster, Rakell does seem like he could be on the move ahead of the NHL trade deadline. One team that could look to pull the trigger on a deal to land him is the Ottawa Senators, who could use a boost offensively for the season.

Ottawa made the postseason last season in what was a major surprise around the NHL, and now the team wants to build upon that notion. The Senators have gotten off to a slow start this year themselves, but adding a talent like Rakell could really push this team forward in the Eastern Conference.

We see teams make moves like this all the time, and then they go on a run in the second half of the season to reach the playoffs. Rakell could be a solid addition to the Senators, and he could be the missing piece for them to make a playoff run.

While Rakell won’t fix all the issues that the Senators have on the roster, he could at least fill some of the holes that they have seen this year. Rakell has proven that his contract is more than worth it, and this could be a move to help Ottawa both for this season and in the future.

Ottawa’s front office has been active in recent years, and Rakell could be a solid move for them to consider. The two sides could link up for a deal to get done once the NHL freeze lifts, and the Senators could net one of the bigger names who could be moved this year.

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Pittsburg, PA

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby sets record for most points by a Canadian at the Olympics

Published

1 day ago

February 15, 2026

Press Room

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby sets record for most points by a Canadian at the Olympics

You can add another achievement to Sidney Crosby’s resume as he is now the all-time leader in points for a Canadian NHL player at the Olympics.

During Sunday’s final game in the preliminary round, Crosby scored in the second period against France to give him three points in the game, and 15 in his Olympic career.

Another milestone unlocked for the 🐐
Crosby’s 15th career #WinterOlympics point passes Jarome Iginla for the most by a Team Canada player in Olympics featuring NHL players. pic.twitter.com/6TIGof5y5f
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 15, 2026
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The Penguins and Team Canada captain surpassed Jarome Iginla for the most points by an NHL player with the goal.

So far during the Milano-Cortina Olympics, Crosby has recorded two goals and five assists for seven points.

Sidney Crosby’s history at the Olympics

In 2026, Crosby is looking to win his third Olympic gold medal after winning gold in 2010 and 2014.

In 2010, Crosby scored arguably his most famous goal when he scored in overtime against Team USA in the gold medal game in Vancouver.

Surpassing Iginla for the most points by a Canadian NHL player at the Olympics takes on some sentimental meaning, as Iginla got the primary assist on Crosby’s golden goal in 2010.

That assist ultimately was Iginla’s final point for the Canadian Olympic Team.

During the 2010 games, Crosby scored four goals and three assists for seven points.

Four years later, as team captain for Canada, Crosby led the team to another gold medal while scoring just one goal and two assists in three games.

Crosby’s milestones with the Penguins

In his 20th season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Crosby has done it all. He’s been a league MVP, won scoring titles, and, of course, three Stanley Cup championships.

In December, Crosby surpassed Mario Lemieux as the franchise leader in points.

A goal and an assist against the Montreal Canadiens gave Crosby 1,724 points at the time, surpassing Lemieux’s 1,723.

Since then, Crosby has increased his career point total to 1,746 and is just 10 points shy of surpassing Steve Yzerman for 7th all-time in NHL history.

Crosby has also scored 652 goals in his career, 38 shy of Mario Lemieux’s franchise-leading 690.

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