Storm-damaged trees are unpredictable — weakened wood can fail without warning, so the first priority is safety, not cleanup.
Immediate steps
- Stay clear of the tree, especially if it's leaning, has a split trunk, or has limbs hanging loosely ("hangers").
- Keep kids and pets away from the affected area until it's been assessed.
- If it's touching power lines, treat it as an electrical hazard — call your utility provider and don't approach.
- Photograph the damage from a safe distance for insurance purposes before anything is moved.
- Don't attempt DIY removal of large limbs or leaning trees — storm-weakened wood is one of the more dangerous situations in tree work, even for experienced homeowners.
When it's a true emergency
A tree or large limb resting on a house, vehicle, power line, or blocking a driveway or road is an emergency. We provide 24/7 response for exactly this kind of situation — call any time, day or night.
After the immediate danger is handled
Once the urgent hazard is cleared, we can assess whether the rest of the tree needs pruning, monitoring, or full removal, and help with insurance documentation if you're filing a claim.