Storm damage and emergency tree removal
If a tree or large limb came down on your house, car or driveway, start with safety, then call.
First 30 minutes
- Get everyone out of rooms where a tree went through the roof.
- Stay well away from any downed or sagging power lines and call your utility. Assume every line is live.
- If gas lines or the meter were hit, leave the house and call the gas company and 911.
- Take photos of the damage from a safe distance for insurance before anything is moved.
- Call us to get a crew lined up. Do not try to cut a tree that is resting on the house yourself; trapped weight can shift without warning.
When Huntsville gets hit
North Alabama has two tornado seasons. The main one runs from roughly late February into early May, with April usually the busiest month. A second, shorter season runs from late October into early December, and the National Weather Service office in Huntsville notes it can still produce strong tornadoes and damaging winds. Straight-line winds from summer thunderstorms also bring down plenty of trees.
After a big storm, every crew in town gets booked within hours. Calling early gets you into the queue for the first open crew rather than calling company after company.
Insurance basics
Homeowners policies usually help pay to remove a tree that fell on a covered structure, like the house or a fence. A tree that fell in the yard without hitting anything is often not covered. Ask the crew for an itemized invoice, because your adjuster will want it. Check your own policy for the details. If the tree was your neighbor's, see who pays when a neighbor's tree falls.
Emergency pricing
Emergency removals cost more than planned ones because of the risk and the equipment, often a crane, needed to lift a tree off a roof. In Huntsville, emergency removals average around $1,500. See the full cost guide.
Common questions
What should I do first if a tree falls on my house?
Get everyone out of the damaged rooms, stay away from downed power lines and call your utility, and photograph the damage before anything is moved. Then call a tree crew. Do not cut a tree that is resting on the house yourself.
Does homeowners insurance pay for tree removal?
Usually when the tree damaged a covered structure such as the house, garage or fence. A tree that fell in the yard without hitting anything often is not covered. Check your policy.
How much does emergency tree removal cost in Huntsville?
About $1,500 on average, and more if a crane is needed to lift the tree off the roof.
Who removes a tree from power lines?
The utility. In much of Huntsville and Madison County that is Huntsville Utilities. Tree crews will not touch a tree on live lines until the utility clears it.