Emergency Storm Tree Service in Mobile, AL

Emergency storm tree service in Mobile is work nobody schedules. A hurricane like Sally in 2020, which moved slowly and soaked the ground for hours, can tip shallow-rooted trees over whole; a summer thunderstorm can split a water oak in half in minutes; the Christmas 2012 tornado through Midtown dropped trees across houses and streets. Storm work starts with getting people and property out of danger, and only then turns to cleanup.

First steps for homeowners

Stay away from any tree touching a power line, and assume the line is live. Report downed lines to Alabama Power. If a tree is through the roof, get everyone out of that part of the house and, if it is safe, cover open areas from rain. Take photos of the tree and the damage from several angles before anything is moved; your insurer will want them. A city tree blocking a road after hours is a call to the Mobile Police Department, and during business hours to Mobile 311.

How storm removals work

A tree lying on a roof is loaded and often twisted. Cutting the wrong piece first can let it roll or drop onto more of the house. We look at where the weight is resting and take it off in a sequence that keeps it from shifting, often lifting pieces off with ropes rigged from nearby trees; on the biggest jobs, a crane is sometimes the safest way. Hung limbs caught high in a canopy, sometimes called widowmakers, are brought down before anyone works under them.

Trees that look fine after a storm

Not all storm damage is obvious. University of Florida researchers found pines may look healthy after a hurricane and then decline over six months to two years; after Hurricane Charley, nearly half of longleaf pines in one study had died by the three-month check. Roots loosened in saturated soil, cracked forks and bark stripped by flying debris can all lead to failure later. Wounded pines also attract bark beetles. A look at the remaining trees once the urgent work is done is worth it.

Insurance and debris

Homeowners policies generally cover removing a tree that damaged a covered structure, and Consumer Reports, citing the Insurance Information Institute, notes removal payouts are often capped at $500 or $1,000. We give you an itemized written estimate and photos for the claim. Alabama Power notes that after emergency line work, disposal of wood and debris is the property owner's job, which is one more reason to settle hauling in the quote.