Storm Damage Tree
Removal: What To
Do First

If a storm just took a tree down on your property, the first few minutes matter more than people realize. I've been doing tree and stump work in NW Ohio and SE Michigan for over 20 years, and every storm season I get the same panicked calls. Here's exactly what to do — in order — before you touch anything.

1. Check for These Before Anything Else

Before you get anywhere near the tree, look for these three things:

• Power lines. If the tree is touching or near a power line, stay back and call your utility company immediately. Do not attempt to move branches or cut anything near a line, even if it looks dead.
• Structural damage. If the tree is resting on your house, garage, or another structure, don't go inside directly underneath it and don't try to move it yourself — the weight distribution can shift unpredictably.
• Hanging limbs. Broken branches caught in the canopy above — sometimes called "widowmakers" — can fall without warning. Keep kids and pets out of the area until it's been checked.

2. Don't Start Cutting It Up Yourself

I get it — the instinct after a storm is to grab a chainsaw and start clearing. But a downed tree is under tension in ways that aren't obvious from the outside. Limbs and trunks that look stable can be under enormous pressure, and cutting in the wrong spot can cause a sudden, dangerous kickback or shift. If the tree is more than something you could move by hand, it's worth having someone experienced take a look first.

3. Take Photos Before You Clean Anything Up

This step gets skipped more than any other, and it's the one homeowners regret skipping most. Before any debris is moved or the tree is cut up, take photos and a short video from multiple angles — the tree, the damage it caused (if any), and the surrounding area. If you end up filing an insurance claim, this documentation is exactly what your insurer will ask for, and it's much harder to reconstruct after the fact.

4. Know When to Call a Professional vs. Handle It Yourself

A small branch you can drag to the curb yourself — no need to call anyone. But if any of the following apply, it's time to call a professional:

• The tree is leaning on a structure, fence, or vehicle
• The trunk diameter is bigger than something you'd comfortably handle with a chainsaw
• Any part of the tree is touching or near power lines
• The tree is blocking a driveway, walkway, or road
• You're not confident about where the tension is in the wood

When in doubt, call. It's a lot cheaper than an ER visit or a second tree falling the wrong way.

5. What Happens When You Call Me

Text me a photo of the damage — 419-283-1049 — and I'll give you a straight assessment of what it'll take and a real price, often before I even drive out. During storm season, everyone in NW Ohio and SE Michigan gets busy fast, so the sooner you reach out, the sooner you're on the schedule. Once I'm on site, I handle the removal safely, and if there's a stump left behind once the tree is down, I grind that out too — one call covers the whole job.

What About the Stump?

Once the downed tree is cleared, you're often left with a stump — sometimes a large one, since storm-felled trees tend to be older, established trees with big root systems. That stump isn't going anywhere on its own, and it'll cause the same problems any leftover stump does: tripping hazards, new sprouts, pests. Read more about why it's worth grinding that stump out once the immediate cleanup is done.

Areas I Serve

I handle storm damage tree removal and stump grinding across Toledo, Maumee, Perrysburg, Sylvania, Oregon, Waterville, Holland, Whitehouse, and Monroe County, MI.

Got storm damage right now? Call or text 419-283-1049 and I'll get back to you fast.