Storm-damaged trees can remain under tension, shift as saturated soil moves, or drop additional limbs without warning. The first priority is keeping people safe—not beginning cleanup immediately.
Keep everyone out of the area
Set a generous boundary around hanging branches, split trunks, uprooted trees, and anything resting on a structure. Do not stand beneath damage to take photographs. Keep children and pets inside or in a separate part of the property.
Treat power lines as energized
If a tree or branch is touching a utility line, stay away and contact the utility or emergency services. Wood, wet ground, fences, and equipment can all become part of an electrical path. Tree work should not begin until the electrical hazard has been addressed.
Document damage from a safe location
Wide photos taken from outside the hazard zone can help explain access, tree size, nearby structures, and what has fallen. Note blocked driveways, roof impacts, leaning trunks, and urgent access needs when requesting service.
- Do not climb the tree
- Do not cut loaded or suspended limbs
- Do not operate a chainsaw without the training and protective equipment the situation requires
Ask for a clear cleanup scope
Storm cleanup may include stabilizing or removing the tree, processing large wood, hauling brush, grinding a stump, or returning later for additional work. Confirm what is included so the property is left in the condition you expect.