What does emergency tree service involve?
Emergency tree service is fast response to a tree that has already failed or is about to. The crew first checks for power lines and anything else under tension. Then they cut the tree off the structure in controlled pieces, often using ropes or a crane so the weight doesn't shift and cause more damage. Once the load is off, we clear the driveway or entrance and haul the debris. We can also take photos for your insurance claim before we start cutting. For another crew's take on what happens once the hazard is secured, this rundown of storm cleanup after a hard blow walks through the cleanup side.
When is a tree problem an emergency?
- A tree or limb is resting on a roof, car, or building.
- A fallen tree is blocking a driveway or building entrance.
- A large limb is cracked and hanging over a walkway or play area.
- A tree suddenly started leaning after a storm and the soil is heaved up.
If a tree is touching a power line, stay far back and call the utility company first. Never try to move it yourself.
Why do trees fail during storms here?
Heavy wet snow in late fall and early spring loads branches while leaves are still on. Nor'easters blow for hours from the northeast and rock trees in a direction their roots aren't braced for. Ice storms add hundreds of pounds to a single limb. Shallow roots in rocky soil lose their grip once the ground is saturated. Trees already weakened by ash borer or old construction damage are usually the first to go.
What affects the cost of emergency tree service?
- What the tree landed on and how carefully it has to come off.
- Size and tension in the trunk and limbs.
- Equipment needed, such as a crane for a tree lying across a roof.
- Timing and demand right after a major storm.
Many homeowner's insurance policies cover removing a tree that fell on a covered structure. Check your policy, and we'll give you a written estimate for the claim.
Does the rest of the tree need to come down after storm damage?
Not always. If one limb broke clean and the trunk is sound, we cut the torn wood back properly and the tree can recover. If the trunk split or the roots lifted, the tree won't stay stable, and removing what's left of the damaged tree is the safe call. Going forward, regular pruning of weak limbs is the best way to cut down on storm breakage.
