First, Keep Everyone Away From the Tree
A fallen tree is rarely finished moving. Trunks can roll, broken limbs can hang in the canopy of neighboring trees, and roots can lift as the soil shifts. Keep children and pets inside and stay well back from the trunk, the root plate and anything still hanging overhead.
Look up before you walk anywhere near the damage. Hanging branches, often called widow makers, can drop without warning hours after the storm has passed, especially when wind picks up again.
- Assume every downed wire is live and stay far away from it.
- Do not climb onto the trunk or try to cut limbs that are under tension.
- If the tree hit the house, check for gas smells or water leaks and leave if anything seems wrong.
Call the Right People in the Right Order
If a tree is touching power lines, call your electric utility before anyone else. Tree crews should not work near energized lines until the utility makes them safe. If anyone is hurt or a gas line is involved, call 911 first.
Once the scene is safe, call a tree company that handles emergency tree removal. In Frederick and the surrounding county, storms tend to hit many properties at once, so getting on the schedule early matters. Our crews answer calls around the clock and give free estimates, and you can reach us at (540) 340-9719.
Document the Damage Before Anything Is Moved
Your insurance company will want to see what happened. Take wide photos that show the whole tree and where it landed, then close photos of any damage to the roof, gutters, siding, fence, deck or vehicles. A short video walking around the property is also helpful.
Keep notes on the date and time of the storm and any temporary repairs you make, such as a tarp over a damaged roof. Coverage depends on your policy, so talk with your insurance agent about what is included before major work begins.
How Emergency Tree Removal Works
Every storm job starts with an assessment. The crew looks at how the tree is resting, where the weight is, what it is touching and how equipment can reach it. That plan decides the order of cuts so nothing shifts onto the house or onto a worker.
When a tree is lying on a roof, it is usually removed in sections from the top down, with pieces lowered by rope. For large or awkward trees, crane-assisted removal can lift sections straight off the structure without dragging them across it. Once the weight is off, the remaining trunk, limbs and debris are cut, hauled or chipped.
- Site assessment and a safe work zone
- Sectional removal by rope or crane, depending on the tree
- Cleanup of limbs, leaves and debris from the yard
- Stump grinding when you want the area fully cleared
Check the Trees That Are Still Standing
After a strong storm, trees that look fine from the ground can hide cracked limbs, split trunks or loosened roots. Walk your property once the weather settles and look for fresh cracks, hanging branches, soil heaving at the base or a new lean toward the house.
If you see any of those signs, ask for an inspection while the crew is already on site. Pruning a damaged limb now costs far less effort than cleaning up after it falls in the next storm. Regular tree trimming also lowers the chance of storm damage by removing dead wood and reducing heavy ends.
Planning Ahead for the Next Storm
Frederick sees strong summer thunderstorms, heavy wet snow and the occasional ice event, and each one puts extra weight on trees. Trees with dead limbs, decay at the base or a history of leaning are the ones most likely to fail.
A simple yearly walk around your property, followed by pruning or removal of the riskiest trees, is the best way to avoid an emergency call. If you are not sure about a tree, a professional opinion is a quick way to find out.
Get a Free Estimate in Frederick, MD
If a storm has left a tree down or hanging over your home, call Maquin's Tree Service & Landscaping at (540) 340-9719 for emergency tree removal in Frederick, MD. We serve homes and businesses across Frederick County and the rest of Maryland, Virginia and DC, and every job starts with a free estimate.
Related services: tree service in Frederick, MD, emergency tree cleanup, crane-assisted tree removal.
Frequently asked questions
Who removes a tree that fell on power lines?
Call your electric utility first. Utility crews make the lines safe, and in many cases they handle the part of the tree in contact with the lines. Once the area is safe, a tree company can remove the rest of the tree and clean up the yard.
Will homeowners insurance pay for emergency tree removal?
It depends on your policy and on what the tree damaged. Many policies treat a tree that hits a covered structure differently from a tree that falls in an open yard. Photograph everything and ask your agent before major work begins.