Emergency tree service in Virginia City, NV

Virginia City's weather station records more than three times the snowfall of Carson City's, and the town's housing is the oldest we work around. Put a snow-loaded limb over a house from the mining days on a street cut into a mountainside, and you have the typical Comstock tree emergency.

At a glance

• Virginia City station: 46.4 inches of snowfall a year, more than three times Carson City's
• About 54% of homes were built before 1960; the median dates from 1956
• About 16 minutes from the yard without traffic, with a climb to about 6,200 feet
• Crane lifts planned around steep, terraced streets

How much snow lands on Virginia City's trees?

The Virginia City weather station, in the middle of town at 6,340 feet, averages 46.4 inches of snowfall a year (NOAA 1991-2020 normals). The Carson City station averages 14.0 inches and Reno's airport 20.9. Virginia City's yearly precipitation is 11.7 inches, so a large part of it comes as snow.

Long limbs over a roof carry that snow until a weak one gives way. Storm and snow-load breakage shows the patterns.

Old buildings do not take a hit well

About three quarters of Virginia City's homes were built before 1980 and about 54% before 1960. The median year built is 1956 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024; a small town, so treat the figures as approximate). Many buildings are far older than the Census categories go.

An old roof, porch or brick chimney under a fallen limb may be holding more weight than it shows. Stay out of the rooms below. We do not judge buildings, but our crew will not add to the damage: the crane lifts the wood straight up and away instead of sliding it off.

Where can a crane stand on a terraced street?

The town is built in steps across the face of the mountain. Streets are narrow, one side is a bank and the other is a drop, and cars park along both. Before any lift, the crew works out where the crane or the 75-foot boom truck can set up with its outriggers level, and whether the tree can be reached from the street above or the street below. Where no machine fits, a climber takes the tree apart in pieces and lowers them.

It helps a great deal if you can tell the office which street the tree is best reached from and whether parked cars can be moved.

Wood stoves and blocked roofs

About a quarter of Virginia City households heat mainly with wood (ACS 2020-2024, a small sample). If a tree or limb has landed on or near the chimney or stovepipe, tell the office when you call, and let the fire department advise you about using the stove.

The drive up

From our yard on US 50 East the distance is about 11 miles, about 16 minutes without traffic, but the road climbs to about 6,200 feet. Snow on the grade slows heavy trucks. We do not promise arrival times. The phone is staffed seven days a week and emergency service is offered around the clock; if you reach the message box, calls are returned within 8 hours.