Storm Recovery 101: What to Do When Trees Fall on Your Property

October 15, 2025

Severe storms can arrive with little warning, bringing high winds, heavy rain, and lightning that can cause significant damage to trees. When a tree or large branch falls on your property, it can be overwhelming and even dangerous to handle. Knowing what steps to take in the hours immediately following the incident can make the recovery process safer and more efficient. At Midwest Tree Surgeons, we specialize in storm damage cleanup and emergency tree removal, helping homeowners and property managers restore safety and peace of mind quickly after a storm.

Step One: Stay Safe and Assess from a Distance

Safety must always come first. If a tree has fallen near a power line or utility pole, do not approach it under any circumstances. Downed lines can remain energized and pose a severe risk of electrocution. Contact your utility company immediately to report any potential hazards.


Even when no power lines are involved, it is important to approach cautiously. Fallen trees may have hidden tension points where branches or trunks can shift unexpectedly. Loose soil, sharp limbs, and unstable root systems can all create dangerous conditions. Assess the situation from a safe distance before making any decisions.

Step Two: Document the Damage

Once it is safe to do so, take photographs of the fallen tree and any damage to structures, fences, or vehicles. These images are valuable for insurance claims and will help both your insurance provider and your tree care professionals understand the full extent of the situation. Be sure to include multiple angles, showing where the tree originated and how it impacted the surrounding area.


If your property is insured, contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Most policies cover storm-related damage, including tree removal, particularly when the fallen tree caused harm to covered structures. Your insurer may require an inspection before work begins, so documentation is key.

Step Three: Call a Professional Tree Service

Removing a fallen or partially fallen tree is a task that should always be handled by trained professionals. Attempting to cut or move large limbs without proper equipment or experience can result in serious injury or further property damage. As Certified Arborists, we have the tools, training, and experience to safely remove storm-damaged trees and debris.


Our team uses specialized equipment to stabilize unstable trunks, section large trees carefully, and prevent additional impact to structures or landscaping. We also perform a complete safety inspection of the remaining trees to identify potential hazards that could pose future risks.

Step Four: Prevent Additional Damage

If the fallen tree has damaged your roof, siding, or fencing, it is important to secure the area as soon as possible. Temporary measures such as tarps or fencing can help protect your home from rain or further structural issues while you wait for full repairs.


Professional tree removal services also help prevent secondary problems such as pest infestations or rot. When fallen trees are left unattended, moisture buildup can attract insects and create conditions for decay, which can spread to nearby healthy trees. Prompt cleanup ensures that your property remains safe and your landscape continues to thrive.

Step Five: Schedule a Post-Storm Tree Inspection

After major storms, even trees that appear unharmed may have internal cracks, root instability, or hidden damage. Scheduling a professional inspection with certified arborists can identify weaknesses early and prevent future hazards.


At Midwest Tree Surgeons, our post-storm assessments include evaluating soil conditions, checking for structural imbalance, and recommending pruning or removal when necessary. We help homeowners understand which trees are at risk and which can be preserved through careful maintenance.

Restoring Safety and Peace of Mind

Storm damage can be stressful, but with the right steps and professional help, your property can be restored safely and efficiently. The key is to act quickly, prioritize safety, and trust experienced professionals who know how to handle complex removals.


At Midwest Tree Surgeons, we take pride in providing emergency response and storm recovery services throughout the region. Our commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, and quality workmanship ensures that every property we serve is left secure, clean, and ready to recover.


If a storm has left you with fallen or damaged trees, contact our team for immediate assistance. We will handle the cleanup so you can focus on what matters most—getting life back to normal.

How a Long-Lived Tree Can Become a Valuable Part of a Property’s Identity

October 23, 2026
Some trees become more than landscaping .  They become landmarks . A mature oak near the driveway, an old maple shading the backyard, or a large tree that has stood beside a home for generations can become part of how people recognize and remember a property. That kind of tree has value that is difficult to measure with size alone. It can shape the look of the land, provide shade, frame views, and create a sense of permanence that younger landscaping simply cannot reproduce overnight. That is why preserving a healthy, long-lived tree can be worth serious consideration.

Why Fungal Growth on the Trunk Deserves Attention

October 13, 2026
Mushrooms or other fungal growth on a tree trunk can look harmless, especially if the tree still has a full canopy. But fungal growth can sometimes be a sign that wood inside the tree is beginning to decay. That does not mean every mushroom automatically makes a tree dangerous. It does mean the tree deserves a closer look, particularly when the fungus is growing directly from the trunk, root flare, or a large structural root. For homeowners, recognizing that warning sign early can make it easier to evaluate the tree before a hidden problem becomes more serious.

How to Identify Tree-of-Heaven and Why Professional Removal Matters

October 9, 2026
Tree-of-heaven sounds harmless, but Ailanthus altissima is an aggressive invasive tree that has become established throughout much of the United States, including the Midwest. Originally native to China and Taiwan, tree-of-heaven was introduced to the United States in the late 1700s as an ornamental tree. Its ability to tolerate poor soil, pollution, disturbed ground, and difficult urban conditions helped it spread far beyond cultivated landscapes. Today, it can be found along roadsides, rail corridors, vacant lots, woodland edges, and other disturbed areas throughout the Midwest. Knowing how to recognize it is important because removing it incorrectly can actually make the infestation worse. Look Closely at the Leaves Tree-of-heaven has very large compound leaves made up of numerous individual leaflets. A single leaf can contain roughly 10 to 40 or more leaflets arranged along a central stem. Near the base of each leaflet are distinctive glandular teeth or notches that can help separate tree-of-heaven from similar-looking native species. Crushing the foliage is another useful clue. The leaves can produce a strong, unpleasant odor that has sometimes been compared to rancid or burnt peanut butter.

What Homeowners Should Check Before Severe Winter Weather Arrives

September 29, 2026
Winter can place significant stress on trees, especially when heavy snow, ice, strong winds, and rapid temperature changes arrive together. A tree that appears stable in mild weather may react very differently once branches are loaded with snow or the soil freezes. That is why late fall is a useful time for homeowners to look for warning signs before severe winter weather begins. A careful inspection can help identify weak branches, structural defects, and other concerns that may become more dangerous during a storm.

How Bagworms Can Damage Evergreens

September 23, 2026
Evergreens are often valued because they provide year-round color, screening, and structure in the landscape. When sections of an arborvitae, juniper, spruce, or similar evergreen suddenly begin turning brown or losing foliage, however, bagworms may be responsible. Bagworms are caterpillars that construct protective bags from silk and pieces of the plants they are feeding on. Because those bags blend into surrounding foliage, an infestation can become significant before the insects attract much attention. Understanding how bagworms feed and when they are easiest to control can help protect valuable trees and shrubs from unnecessary damage. The Bags Can Be Easy to Miss Bagworms get their name from the portable cases they build around themselves. As the larvae feed , they add pieces of needles, leaves, and twigs to the outside of the bag. This camouflage can make them difficult to recognize, particularly when populations are still relatively small. The bags may look like small brown cones or pieces of dried vegetation hanging from the branches. Penn State Extension notes that bagworms can become serious pests on arborvitae, juniper, spruce, fir, and other conifers because substantial feeding damage can occur before the infestation becomes obvious.

Why Fall Is a Good Time to Evaluate Tree Structure

September 18, 2026
Fall is an especially useful time to take a closer look at the structure of mature trees . As leaves begin to thin and eventually drop, branches, unions, cracks, cavities, and other structural features become easier to see.  That makes autumn a practical season for identifying problems that may be harder to spot during summer. It also gives homeowners time to address weak limbs or other concerns before winter snow, ice, and wind place additional stress on the canopy.

What Root Flare Can Tell You About Planting Depth

September 10, 2026
A healthy tree should not look like a telephone pole entering the ground. Near the base of the trunk, the tree should widen where the major roots begin to spread outward. This area is known as the root flare, and it can reveal a great deal about whether a tree was planted at the correct depth.  When the root flare is buried under soil, mulch, or landscaping material, the tree may face long-term problems that are easy to miss at first. Looking at the base of the trunk is one of the simplest ways to spot a planting issue before it becomes more serious.

What Sudden Branch Dieback Can Mean

September 2, 2026
A tree can appear healthy overall and still develop a section of dead or dying branches. When branch dieback appears suddenly, especially in one part of the canopy, it can be a sign that something is interfering with the tree’s ability to move water and nutrients where they are needed.  For homeowners, the important question is not simply whether a branch is dead, but why it died. Midwest Tree Surgeons evaluates tree health, structure, pests , disease, and site conditions to help determine what may be causing the change.

Why Topping a Tree Can Create Long-Term Problems

August 25, 2026
When a tree grows too large for its surroundings, removing the upper portion of the canopy may seem like a quick solution. This practice, commonly called tree topping, involves cutting major branches or leaders back to stubs or lateral branches that are too small to assume the terminal role.  Although topping can immediately reduce a tree’s height, it can also create lasting structural and health problems. For homeowners concerned about an oversized or potentially hazardous tree, professional pruning is generally a better approach.

Why Correct Pest Identification Matters Before Treatment

August 18, 2026
When insects begin damaging a tree, the first instinct may be to treat the problem as quickly as possible. But not every insect requires the same response, and some insects that look harmful may not be the actual cause of the decline. Applying the wrong treatment can waste time, money, and potentially put additional stress on the tree.  Midwest Tree Surgeons takes a diagnosis-first approach to tree care. Correct pest identification helps determine whether treatment is needed, which method is appropriate, and whether the real problem may involve disease, environmental stress, or another underlying issue.
More Posts