Should I cut hanging branches myself?

Only if they're small (under 2 inches), you have proper footing, and they're reachable without a ladder. Any hanging limb requiring a ladder or chainsaw should be handled by a professional.

Does insurance cover storm tree damage?

Most homeowner policies cover tree damage to structures. Storm-related tree cleanup in open yard areas is often not covered. Photograph damage before any cleanup for claims purposes.

How quickly do storm-damaged trees become hazards?

Immediately, if a major limb is hanging. Over weeks to months for trees that lost scaffold limbs but are otherwise standing — fungal entry and internal decay begin within days of storm wounds.

Tree Inspection After a Storm in Huntsville, AL

Wait Before You Walk Under Damaged Trees

After a severe storm in Madison County — and Huntsville averages 4–6 significant storm events per year between March and October — the first rule is don't go outside until the storm has fully passed and you've waited 15–20 minutes after the last thunder. Widow-makers (broken limbs caught in the canopy above) can fall without warning. An arborist once told us: 'The storm doesn't kill people — the 20 minutes after the storm do.' Once you're confident the immediate hazard window has passed, begin a visual inspection from a safe distance before approaching any tree.

What to Check During Your Post-Storm Tree Inspection

Assess systematically from outside the drip line: Canopy: large broken limbs still in the canopy (widow-makers), hanging branches, complete crown loss on one side. Trunk: new vertical cracks, bark blown off, lean change from pre-storm position. Root zone: soil heaving around the base (indicates root ball movement), fungal mats exposed, root ball partially lifted. Neighbor trees: check for leaning tops in adjacent trees that could fall toward your structure — your neighbor's tree is your problem if it hits your house. Power lines: trees touching or near lines — call Huntsville Utilities before touching anything in that zone.

Damage That Requires Immediate Professional Response

Call us immediately (24/7) for: any tree that has fallen onto a structure; any tree that has shifted its lean toward a house; any large limb still hanging in the canopy over a walkway, driveway, or occupied structure; root ball uplift of more than 6 inches; trunk cracks that weren't present before the storm; any tree touching a power line. These are emergency situations — don't wait for a 'normal business hours' callback. Our crew responds to storm damage throughout Madison County 24/7 at (256) 203-1967.

Storm Damage That Can Wait

Some post-storm damage can be scheduled as non-emergency: smaller limbs (under 4 inches diameter) down in open yard areas; minor bark scrapes on otherwise healthy trunks; one or two scaffold limbs lost from a healthy tree with intact structure; cosmetic crown asymmetry after limb loss. Document this damage photographically for insurance purposes, then schedule a standard assessment. Trees that appear 'mostly fine' after losing limbs should still get an arborist review within 2–3 weeks — storm damage creates entry points for fungal pathogens.

Post-Storm Tree Service in Huntsville

We provide 24/7 emergency response and same-week scheduling for storm damage assessment and cleanup throughout Huntsville, Madison, Hampton Cove, and Harvest. After a major storm event, we do triage calls first — call (256) 203-1967 and describe your situation and we'll prioritize accordingly.

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Serving Huntsville and all of Madison County. Same-day available for emergencies.

(256) 203-1967 — Call or Text