Storm damage is not always a tree lying on the ground. A split leader, a hanging limb, newly exposed roots or a lean that appeared after saturated soil can create a less obvious hazard. The first job is to keep people away and describe the situation clearly—not to test the tree, pull branches or begin cutting.
Start with the immediate hazards
If the tree or branch is touching a power line, keep people away and contact the utility first. Do not approach it, move nearby debris or assume a service line is harmless. If a tree is on an occupied structure, vehicle or access route, move people out of the affected area and call for professional assessment.
What to check from a safe distance
- Look at the whole tree. Note whether the trunk has a new lean, fresh crack or separated fork.
- Check the crown. Identify hanging limbs, broken tops and branches resting on the roof.
- Look at the ground. Raised soil, torn roots or a newly tilted root plate can indicate movement.
- Identify the targets. Record what lies beneath the tree: a house, driveway, fence, play area or utility line.
- Check access. Note gate width, slopes, soft ground and where equipment could safely stand.
Photographs that help the assessment
Wide photograph
Show the entire tree and nearby buildings so the crew can understand height, lean and available space.
Damage detail
Photograph the split, break, cavity or lifted soil without walking beneath unstable branches.
Access route
Show the driveway, gate, retaining walls and obstacles between the street and the tree.
Property impact
Document roof, fence or vehicle damage before cleanup when an insurance claim may be involved.
Questions to ask before work begins
- Does the quoted scope include brush, logs, stump work and final cleanup?
- How will the crew protect the roof, driveway and lawn?
- Can the crew provide current proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance?
- Does the location or work require a permit or utility coordination?
- Will the tree be dismantled in sections, rigged or handled with a crane?
For a detailed explanation of controlled removal around homes, read the Roswell tree-removal guide.
Tree damage that needs prompt attention?
Tree Cutting Service Roswell GA handles storm work, hazardous trees, trimming, stump grinding and controlled removal throughout Roswell and North Fulton.
Emergency tree-removal informationAbout this resource
This guide is published as a practical companion to Tree Cutting Service Roswell GA. It helps callers collect useful information before requesting an assessment. A remote checklist cannot determine whether a tree is structurally safe; conditions must be evaluated on site.