Emergency Tree Services: What to Do After a Storm

Severe storms can cause devastating damage to trees, creating immediate safety hazards and leaving homeowners unsure of what to do. Knowing how to respond after a storm keeps you safe and helps minimize further damage to your property and trees. Here is what Fort Wayne homeowners need to know about emergency tree situations.

Immediate Safety Assessment

After a storm passes, approach damaged trees with extreme caution. Look for downed power lines near or touching trees before approaching. Never touch a tree that is in contact with power lines, and keep others, especially children and pets, away from the area. Call your utility company immediately to report downed lines. Check for hanging branches, known as widow-makers, that could fall without warning. If a tree is leaning against a structure, do not enter the building until a professional has assessed the situation.

What You Can Handle Yourself

Small branches that have fallen to the ground and are not tangled in overhead branches can be safely cleared by homeowners. Minor damage to small trees, such as broken branches under three inches in diameter, can be pruned with proper technique. Make clean cuts just outside the branch collar to promote healing. Do not attempt to remove large branches, fell damaged trees, or work near power lines yourself.

When to Call a Professional

Call a professional arborist or tree service for large hanging branches, split or cracked trunks, trees leaning on structures or power lines, uprooted trees, and any situation that requires climbing or chainsaw work above shoulder height. Emergency tree services are in high demand after storms, so contact a reputable company as soon as possible. Be wary of storm chasers who appear after severe weather offering tree work at suspiciously low prices without proper insurance or credentials.

Can the Tree Be Saved?

Many storm-damaged trees can be restored with proper care. Trees that have lost less than half their canopy and have a sound trunk and root system are often worth saving. A professional arborist can assess the tree's structural integrity and recommend whether repair, significant pruning, or removal is the best course of action. Damaged trees that are repaired properly can recover fully within a few growing seasons.

Request a free quote from Minnick Lawn & Landscaping for your Fort Wayne property today.

Minnick Lawn & Landscaping provides emergency tree services throughout the Fort Wayne area. When storms strike, contact us for prompt, safe, and professional tree damage response.