After the Storm: Assessing Tree Damage on Your Property
How to evaluate storm-damaged trees yourself, which ones are salvageable, and when the chainsaw is the only answer.
First Walk the Property From a Distance
Do not go near damaged trees until you have scanned for downed power lines. A live wire on the ground can energize wet soil for 35 feet in every direction. If you see any wires down, stay inside and call the utility company. Once you have confirmed no electrical hazards, walk the property but do not walk under damaged trees. A cracked limb that is still hanging in the canopy can drop without warning. Stay outside the drip line of any tree that took a hit.
Trees You Can Probably Save
A tree that lost a few limbs but kept its central leader and more than half its canopy is usually salvageable. A clean break where a limb tore off is better than a long split down the trunk. Young trees that were bent over but not snapped will often straighten themselves over the next growing season. If the roots held firm and the trunk is intact the tree is probably going to be fine with some cleanup pruning.
Trees That Need to Come Down
A split trunk is almost always fatal. If the tree split right down the middle into two halves there is no putting it back together. A tree that uprooted and is now leaning at 45 degrees with a mound of dirt at the base is done even if it still has green leaves. The root plate has failed and the tree will never restabilize. A trunk that snapped partway up leaving a jagged stump is obviously done. Do not attempt to salvage these. They are removal jobs.
The Hangers Are the Dangerous Ones
The most dangerous post-storm situation is a large broken limb that is still caught in the canopy. It can weigh thousands of pounds and is held up by nothing more than tangled branches. Any vibration, a gust of wind, a squirrel running across it, can bring it down. Never stand under a hanger. Never try to pull it down with a rope. This is a job for a professional with a bucket truck or a skilled climber.
Filing the Insurance Claim
Take photos of everything before any cleanup starts. Photograph the tree, the damage to structures, the debris field, and any tire tracks or equipment marks that were there before the storm so they do not get blamed on you. Call your agent within 24 hours. Most policies have a per-tree removal limit of $500 to $1,000 and a total limit of $5,000 for all trees. If the tree hit a structure the removal usually falls under your dwelling coverage which has much higher limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a leaning tree be saved after a storm?
Depends on the lean. If the root plate is still mostly intact and the lean is under 15 degrees, small trees can sometimes be staked upright and re-established. Large trees that have shifted cannot be righted. An arborist can tell you on a site visit.
How soon after a storm should I get trees cleaned up?
Hazards like hangers and split trees should be addressed within days. Cosmetic cleanup can wait weeks. During major storm events every tree company in the region is slammed, so be patient with response times. Avoid the first truck that shows up unsolicited.