The storm passed. A limb is on the fence, something is against the roof, or a whole tree came down and you’re not sure what to do next.
Here’s what to do, in order.
tep 1: Stay Back Until You Know What You’re Dealing With
The first question is whether anything landed near a power line.
If a tree, limb, or branch is touching a power line, treat everything in that area as live. The line itself, any fencing it contacts, standing water nearby. Don’t approach. Don’t let anyone else approach. Call Georgia Power at 888-660-5890. Let the utility crew de-energize the line before you or a tree crew gets anywhere near it.
If no lines are involved, your next concern is tension. A tree that fell against a structure, a fence, or another tree is loaded in ways that aren’t obvious from the outside. Cut the wrong piece first and the whole thing can shift or spring. Leave the positioning alone until a crew that does this regularly has assessed the setup.
Step 2: Assess What Can Be Saved vs. What Must Come Down
Not every storm-damaged tree needs to come down. What matters is what broke and where.
Limb damage only, trunk intact: If branches failed but the main trunk is sound and the root plate didn’t move, the tree may be saveable. The questions are how much canopy was lost and whether the remaining structure is stable enough to justify keeping it.
Split trunk or cracked main crotch: A tree that cracked through the main leader or split at the union of two main stems is not repairable. It needs to come down.
Heaved or shifted root plate: A tree that lifted at the base even slightly is no longer reliably anchored. Root failure can be sudden. A tree in this state is a hazard regardless of how stable the canopy looks above ground.
Hanging broken limb: A broken limb still attached to the tree is called a “widow maker.” It can drop without additional wind. Don’t walk under it. That situation is urgent.
For situations where a tree has contacted the roof or a structure directly, see our guide on what to do when a tree falls on your house.
Step 3: Document Everything Before Anyone Touches It
Before a single branch moves, take photos.
Walk the perimeter. Photograph the full tree, the point of failure, any contact with a structure or fence, and the ground around the root base. Take photos from multiple distances and angles. Your phone timestamps them automatically. That timestamp matters for an insurance claim.
A complete photo record shows the scope and cause of the damage before cleanup work disturbs the scene. Once the tree is removed, the documentation window is closed. Do this first.
Step 4: Call a Tree Service, Not a Handyman
Storm cleanup and tree work are two different jobs.
A general labor crew can carry brush to the curb. They cannot safely dismantle a tree under tension against a roof, rig a split trunk for controlled removal, or make accurate cuts in a loaded canopy without knowing what the tree will do when the load shifts. Storm work near structures requires equipment and the knowledge of how a failing tree moves.
Call a fully insured tree service. Here’s the other reason that matters: if an uninsured worker is injured on your property, the liability question can fall on you. Tree Service Smyrna carries both general liability and workers’ comp on every job. That keeps the risk off your property.
Which Situation Are You In?
Situation | Priority | What It Requires |
|---|---|---|
Debris in yard, no structure contact | Lower | Debris removal; tree crew only for large or in-canopy material |
Hanging broken limb (“widow maker”) | Urgent | Remove before it drops; don’t walk beneath it |
Limb on roof or fence | Urgent | Rigged removal to protect the structure during cutting |
Trunk split or cracked at main leader | Urgent | Full tree removal |
Root plate heaved or tree fully fallen | Urgent | Full removal; inspect ground for follow-on hazards |
Any contact with a power line | Emergency | Georgia Power first; tree crew after the line is cleared |
Georgia’s Storm Season: When to Be Ready
Georgia’s active storm window runs roughly March through August. That’s when the state sees most of its severe thunderstorms, tornado activity, and high-wind events.
The best time to address hazardous trees is before that window, not during it. A tree that’s assessed and removed in January or February is a planned expense at a normal rate. The same tree after it comes down in a May storm is an emergency call, possible structure damage, and an insurance deductible.
If you have large trees close to your house, roofline, or driveway and haven’t had them looked at in a couple of years, the late-winter window is the right time to act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover storm-damaged tree removal?
Generally yes, when the tree or limb damaged an insured structure. Most standard homeowner’s policies cover removal of storm debris that contacts the home, a detached garage, or another covered structure. If the tree falls in the yard without hitting a structure, coverage depends on the specific policy. Document everything before any removal and call your insurer before work begins.
How long can you leave storm-damaged trees?
Active hazards cannot wait. A hanging limb or a partially split trunk can shift or drop without additional wind. Debris in the yard with no structural contact is lower urgency but should be cleared within a week or two. Leaving storm-damaged wood in place lets rot and pest problems develop quickly.
When should I call a tree service after a storm?
As soon as the storm clears and it’s safe to go outside. For anything involving a hanging limb, structure contact, or a tree that shifted at the base, call the same day. A partially failed tree is already failing.
24/7 Emergency Tree Service in Smyrna, Vinings, Mableton, Austell, and Marietta
Tree down. Limb on the roof. Driveway blocked.
Rudy Perez founded Tree Service Smyrna in 2020, building on years of family experience in the trade. We’re a family-owned crew working a tight radius around Smyrna. That means we get there fast, and when we do, the job is documented so your insurance adjuster has what they need.
We respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergencies. Call us and we’ll tell you what the tree needs and how soon we can get there. Fully insured on every job.
No pressure. We do what we say, when we say.
Get Emergency Help | Call 470-994-5343
Sources
- Georgia Power, Downed Power Line Safety: verify current reporting URL at georgiapower.com before publishing. Emergency reporting number 888-660-5890 sourced from Georgia Power public records; verify this is still current before publishing.
- University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Storm Damage to Trees: extension.uga.edu (verify specific storm damage page URL before publishing)
- Insurance Information Institute, Coverage for Storm-Damaged Trees: iii.org (verify specific homeowners coverage page URL before publishing)
