Emergency tree service — storm damage and failures
Storm damage, failures and trees down across access or structures.
Trees fail in wind, in saturated ground, and sometimes on a still afternoon when a defect finally gives. What you are usually left with is a tree across a driveway, a limb on a roof, or a trunk leaning on a fence with the root plate lifting out of the lawn.
This work is different from scheduled work. Loads are already in the wrong places, the tree may be under tension, and cutting in the wrong order makes it worse. Our crews are set up to make it safe first and tidy second.
If a line is involved, or the structure looks compromised, call the utility or the fire service before you call us.
Most of what comes down in a storm was visible before it: decay at the base, a split fork, long limbs heavy at the ends, roots cut for a driveway. Saturated ground and wind finish the job. Work done before the wet season is the cheapest emergency call there is.
What emergency tree service includes
- Making the immediate hazard safe
- Clearing trees and limbs off drives, roofs and access
- Sectional removal of failed or hung-up trees under tension
- Removal of all debris from the site
- Assessment of what is left standing, and whether it is sound
Emergency tree service: common questions
- What should I do before you arrive?
- Keep people and vehicles away from under and around the tree, including the side it is leaning towards. If a power line is involved, call the utility first — we do not work on lines. If the tree is on the house and the structure looks unsafe, get everyone out and call the fire service.
- Do you handle insurance work?
- We can provide written documentation of the failure and the work performed, which is normally what an insurer asks for. The claim itself is between you and your insurer — we do not act on their behalf or negotiate for you.
- Will you look at the other trees while you are there?
- Ask and we will. When one tree fails, the ones beside it have usually been through the same wind and the same saturated ground, and a failure often exposes a defect that is present on its neighbors too.
Which trees need a permit in 22 Bay Area cities and counties, and where to apply.
Related services
- Tree removal
Full removal, including mechanical removal and crane work where access or size calls for it.
- Crane services
Crane work with or without qualified climbers and riggers supplied.
- Arborist consulting & reports
Written arborist reports and consulting for planning, permits and disputes.
- Stump removal
Grinding and mechanical stump removal, including downsizing and splitting on site.
Our sister companies
Two companies behind the work: one turns what we cut into mulch, the other keeps our trucks and equipment running.
Produces our mulch
EcoMulch
Makes mulch from local tree work, ours included, and sells it with soil, compost and rock, for pickup in Martinez or delivery to your driveway.
Visit ecomulch.org (opens in a new tab)Maintains and repairs our fleet
Rex Mechanical
Heavy equipment repair, welding, hydraulics and fabrication, in its shop in Concord or on site across Northern California.
Visit rex-mechanical.com (opens in a new tab)
Talk to someone about your emergency tree service
Estimates are free. Tell us what you’re looking at and we’ll come and have a look.