Emergency Tree Service: What to Do First

When a tree falls or a branch threatens your home, you need emergency tree service fast. Here is what to do first and how to get help in Boise.

What Qualifies as a Tree Emergency

Not every downed branch is an emergency. True tree emergencies involve immediate risk to people, structures, or access. Here is how to tell the difference:

Call immediately (true emergency):

• A tree has fallen on your house, garage, car, or other structure
• Large branches are hanging over your roof, driveway, or walkway and could drop at any moment
• A tree is actively leaning and appears ready to fall on a structure or roadway
• A tree or large limb has fallen on or near power lines
• Storm damage has left a tree blocking your driveway, road access, or emergency routes
• A tree has fallen across a neighbor's property and created a hazard
• A partially uprooted tree is still connected and swaying — this is the most unpredictable situation

Urgent but not a same-day emergency:

• A large branch broke off cleanly and is on the ground — no hanging pieces, nothing on a structure
• A tree lost significant canopy in a storm but is still standing upright with no lean
• A dead tree that has been standing for months has not changed position after a storm
• Debris from broken branches is scattered across the yard but not blocking access

Can wait for a scheduled appointment:

• A tree has a few broken branches in the upper canopy with no hanging pieces
• Storm cleanup of small branches and leaf debris
• A healthy tree dropped a limb due to weight — no structural damage, no ongoing hazard

Why this matters: emergency tree service costs 25-50% more than scheduled work due to overtime labor, after-hours response, and the urgency of the situation. Correctly identifying whether your situation is a true emergency saves you money and ensures the crew's priority response goes to the most dangerous situations first.

What to Do Immediately

• 1. Ensure safety — move everyone away from the tree and any structures it is touching. Keep a distance of at least 1.5 times the tree's height in every direction.
• 2. Call 911 if power lines are involved — do not approach downed lines. Even lines that appear dead can be energized. A downed power line can electrify the ground in a radius of 35 feet or more.
• 3. Contact your utility company — they handle lines, not tree companies. The tree crew cannot touch anything until the utility clears the power situation.
• 4. Call your insurance company — start the claim process early. Most policies require notification within 30-60 days, but earlier is always better.
• 5. Document the damage — photos and video from a safe distance (see detailed documentation guide below)
• 6. Call Boise Tree Crew at 208-555-0126 — we respond to emergencies in Boise within hours

What Emergency Crews Do

• Assess the situation and plan the safest approach — this step is critical and should not be rushed
• Establish a work zone and safety perimeter, redirecting foot and vehicle traffic as needed
• Cut and remove the tree in sections using rigging and cranes if needed
• Tarp any roof openings to prevent water damage — heavy-duty tarps secured with furring strips and screws, not just thrown over the hole
• Clear driveways and access points to restore vehicle and emergency route access
• Chip branches and haul away debris
• Grind stumps (can be done at the same visit or scheduled later)
• Provide a written scope of work and damage assessment for your insurance company

Storm Damage Documentation for Insurance Claims

Proper documentation is the difference between a smooth insurance claim and a denied or underpaid one. Follow this process:

### Before Cleanup Begins

• 1. Photograph everything from multiple angles. Walk around the entire scene and capture:

- Wide shots showing the full tree and where it landed

- The base of the tree showing the root plate or break point

- Close-ups of all damage to structures — roof punctures, broken gutters, cracked siding, fence sections, crushed vehicles

- The address or house number visible in at least one photo for verification

- Any damage to neighboring properties caused by your tree

• 2. Shoot video. Walk slowly around the scene narrating what you see. Include the date, time, and your address verbally. Video captures context that photos miss — the scale of the tree, the extent of debris, water intrusion in progress.

• 3. Measure and note dimensions. Estimate the tree's height and trunk diameter. Note the species if you know it. This information helps the adjuster assess the removal cost and validates your contractor's quote.

### During Cleanup

• 4. Keep the tree service invoice and contract. Your insurance company will want to see the actual cost, not an estimate. Make sure the invoice itemizes: tree removal, debris hauling, stump grinding, temporary repairs (tarping), and any crane or specialty equipment charges.

• 5. Save receipts for all related expenses. Temporary tarps, fans for drying, hotel stays if your home is uninhabitable, board-up services — all potentially reimbursable. Keep originals and digital copies.

• 6. Do not make permanent repairs before the adjuster visits. Temporary measures to prevent further damage (tarps, board-ups) are fine and expected. But do not repair the roof, replace the fence, or fix the siding until the adjuster has documented the damage. If you repair too early, the insurer may dispute the extent of the damage.

### After Cleanup

• 7. Get a written damage assessment from the tree service. This should describe what happened, the tree species and size, how it was removed, what structures it damaged, and the condition of any remaining trees.

• 8. File promptly. Call your insurance company the same day or the next business day. Provide your documentation package: photos, video, tree service invoice, and damage assessment.

• 9. Track your claim number and adjuster's name. Follow up weekly if you do not hear back. Insurance companies handle hundreds of claims after major storms — proactive follow-up keeps your claim moving.

### What Insurance Typically Covers for Storm Damage

• Tree removal when it hits a covered structure: $500-$1,000 per tree, plus full repair costs for the structure
• Tree removal when it blocks access: covered under most policies even if nothing is damaged
• Temporary repairs: tarping, board-up, water extraction to prevent further damage
• Additional living expenses: hotel, meals, and laundry if your home is uninhabitable

### What Insurance Typically Does NOT Cover

• Trees that fall in the yard and hit nothing: most policies exclude this unless the tree blocks a driveway or walkway
• Pre-existing dead or hazardous trees: if the insurer determines you knew the tree was dangerous and did nothing, they may deny the claim
• Flood damage: tree damage caused by flooding requires separate flood insurance
• Landscaping: most policies have a low sublimit ($250-$500) for landscape damage

Post-Storm Safety Checklist

After the immediate emergency is handled and the crew has left, walk your property with this checklist. Do this in daylight when conditions are safe.

### Structural Check

• Inspect your roof from ground level — look for missing shingles, punctures, sagging areas, or exposed decking
• Check all gutters and downspouts for damage or blockage from debris
• Look at your siding and exterior walls for cracks, dents, or holes
• Inspect windows and window frames for cracks or broken seals
• Check your foundation for new cracks (compare to any pre-storm photos you have)
• Open and close all exterior doors to check if frames have shifted

### Tree and Landscape Check

• Walk around every remaining tree on your property and look up — are there hanging branches, split forks, or cracked limbs that could still fall?
• Check for leaning trees that were not leaning before the storm
• Look for raised soil or exposed roots on the windward side of trees — this means the root plate shifted and the tree may be unstable
• Inspect trees near power lines for broken branches resting on or near wires
• Check fences for damage from fallen branches you may not have noticed during the emergency

### Utility and Safety Check

• Test all exterior outlets — GFCI outlets may have tripped during the storm
• Check for standing water near your foundation or in your basement
• Inspect any exterior gas lines or meters for damage
• Make sure your sump pump is working if you have one
• Clear storm drains on your property to prevent flooding from continued rain

### Follow-Up Actions

• Schedule a professional inspection of any remaining trees that show signs of stress or damage — hidden damage from storms often causes failures in the next wind event, weeks or months later
• Get quotes for any structural repairs and submit to your insurance company with your documentation
• Consider preventive trimming on mature trees to reduce wind load and lower the risk of future storm damage
• If you lost a large tree that provided shade, plan for replacement — but wait at least one full growing season before planting in the same spot

After the Emergency

Once the immediate hazard is resolved:

• 1. Get a written damage assessment for insurance
• 2. Schedule permanent repairs — get at least 2 written quotes for any structural work
• 3. Have remaining trees inspected for storm damage — this is the most commonly skipped step and the most important one
• 4. Consider preventive trimming on at-risk trees to reduce future storm damage
• 5. Review your insurance policy limits and consider increasing coverage if your area is prone to severe storms

Emergency Contact

Boise Tree Crew provides 24/7 emergency tree service in Boise. Call 208-555-0126 now. We respond within hours, handle all debris removal and temporary repairs, and provide full documentation for your insurance claim.