Storm Damage
Cleanup & Emergencies
RECOVER QUICKLY FROM THE DAMAGING EFFECTS OF A STORM
If this is a tree service emergency
please call us right away
Our highly-experienced crews and state-of-the-art equipment mean that we can respond to your needs quickly and efficiently.
Fallen & Storm-Damaged Trees
Nor'easters, summer thunderstorm, heavy spring rains, and other weather systems that rip through eastern Massachusetts submit our trees to frequent battering, sometimes with devastating results.
Branches snap off, trees split apart, roots pull out of waterlogged soil, and trees topple over onto homes and cars.
When a tree has been damaged and requires emergency removal or pruning, it often requires immediate action.
Call us right away - we're available to quickly respond to any emergency situation.
Do not attempt to remove storm-damaged trees yourself - they can be highly unstable and dangerous. We use specialized equipment and safety gear to take down these trees efficiently, properly and safely.
Storm Damage Prevention
While there may be nothing you can do to completely avoid tree damage from heavy snow and ice, hurricanes or flooding, it IS possible to minimize the risk.
Careful inspection can reveal defects in your trees that make them more prone to breakage, falling over, or splitting unexpectedly. See our article on preventing storm damage to learn what to look for. Knowing the risks can help you decide whether to take preventive action, such as regular maintenance pruning or tree removal.
It's always better to prevent storm damage than to clean up afterward!
If you're concerned about the safety and stability of any of your trees, please give us a call at 508-497-8628. We offer consultations to address these hazards and minimize the risk of emergency situations due to storm damage.
Frequently asked questions - storm damage
Call American Climbers for 24-hour emergency tree service. We recommend staying away from the tree to prevent injuries and additional damage. Don’t try to remove storm-damaged trees yourself.
We have a whole section on the dangers of removing storm-damaged trees here >>
Contact us as soon as possible. Make sure everyone is safe and keep people and pets away from the damaged or downed tree. Some storm-damaged trees can be unstable so should be dealt with quickly and by a professional that has the equipment, skills, and experience necessary.
You can contact us for emergency tree service any time, even outside of business hours. If it is not an emergency, however, you will have to wait for your job to be scheduled as normal.
I know I shouldn’t get close to my damaged tree, but what issues should I look for when checking how extensive the damage is?
Things to look for may include (but are not limited to):
- Cracks or breakage in any part of the tree
- A tree that appears to be leaning (even slightly)
- Loose ground or heaving soil around the base of the tree
- Broken branches (some may be high or hidden in the tree’s canopy)
- Branches that are stuck in the tree but broken
- Tree decay (this can make a tree more unstable)
- An uprooted or fallen tree
- Large, broken-off tree limbs
If you notice any of these things after a storm, contact us to assess your tree.
It depends on your policy. Consult your homeowner’s insurance policies. Some will be covered if your trees are taken down or damaged by hail, high winds, ice, or other weather events. Other times it will only cover claims if the entire tree falls or does damage.
Read your policy carefully and check for any tree-related clauses.
Call American Climbers to schedule a tree inspection or emergency tree removal. With ice and snow damage, the severity of damage can vary. Some trees will need to be dealt with immediately while others you may not need to do anything right away.
Some damage caused by ice and snow may not be noticeable until the spring when leaves begin to appear. You may then spot sections that were damaged, broken, or dead.
Should I try to get snow and ice off my tree branches after a storm?
No. Don’t shake branches to get snow and ice off. Falling snow and ice are heavier than you may think and can be dangerous.
Don’t use your hose to try to melt snow from your trees or wash it from your sidewalk – that water will soon turn into even more ice!
If you want, you CAN remove snow off small trees and shrubs using a broom if you can reach them from the ground. Gently brush off the snow and ice, but don’t hit the branches; they are too brittle and may be damaged. If the snow or ice doesn’t easily move, leave it alone. It will eventually melt.
Check to see:
- If fallen tree branches or a fallen tree has blocked your driveway or the public right-of-way in front of your house.
- If it’s on your property, call a tree care professional. You probably won’t be the only person with storm damage so be prepared to leave a message and wait until the work can be scheduled. Tree service companies will be using a “triage” system to deal first with life-threatening and public safety situations, followed by cases with significant damage (such as trees that have fallen through a home’s roof), and then to downed or damaged trees without safety issues or property damage.
- Call your municipal public works department or the non-life-threatening emergency number for assistance with downed trees or branches across sidewalks or roads.
- If utility lines are damaged or impacted by tree branches.
- If you see any damage or potential damage, call your utility company.
Read more about snow-and ice-damaged trees: what to do after a winter storm >>
No, do not try to move or remove anything yourself. Storm-damaged trees can be very unstable and dangerous. It’s better to wait; we have the equipment, experience, and skills to deal with these types of situations.
It’s not possible to completely prevent storm damage, but there is a way to minimize it through preventative measures such as tree inspections, proper pruning, and keeping your trees as healthy as possible.
