North Carolina storm season brings more than heavy rain — high winds, saturated soil, and lightning all put extra stress on trees, and Winston-Salem homeowners often find out the hard way which trees on their property weren’t as healthy as they looked. Knowing when a situation calls for emergency tree removal versus when it can wait for a scheduled visit can make a real difference for your safety and your property.
Signs You Need Emergency Tree Removal Right Away
Some situations aren’t safe to wait on, even overnight. Call for emergency service if you’re dealing with:
- A tree that has already fallen on or near your home, car, or power lines
- A large tree or major limb visibly cracked, split, or hanging after a storm
- A tree leaning significantly more than it was before the storm
- Roots that have been partially pulled from the ground, even if the tree hasn’t fully fallen
- Any downed tree blocking a driveway, walkway, or access point you need cleared urgently
Wake Tree Services offers 24/7 emergency tree removal specifically for these situations — storm damage doesn’t wait for business hours, and neither do we.
What to Do While You Wait for Help
If you’re dealing with storm damage and it’s not immediately dangerous, there are a few things worth doing before help arrives:
- Stay away from downed lines. Never assume a power line is dead, even if it looks disconnected from a pole.
- Keep people and pets clear of the affected area, especially under cracked or hanging limbs.
- Take photos of the damage for insurance purposes before any cleanup begins.
- Avoid attempting removal yourself. Storm-damaged trees are unpredictable — tension in cracked limbs or root systems can shift suddenly, which is exactly why professional equipment and experience matter here.
After the Storm: Assessing the Rest of Your Trees
Even trees that survived a storm without visibly falling can be compromised. Wind stress can crack root systems underground, and a tree that looks fine from the yard may develop problems weeks later. This is a good time to have your property inspected — our free inspections can catch early warning signs before the next storm turns a weakened tree into an emergency.
Depending on what we find, the right next step might be tree trimming to remove storm-damaged limbs and reduce future risk, or full tree removal if the tree’s structural integrity has been compromised. If a tree does come down, our stump grinding service handles cleanup so your yard isn’t left with a hazard or eyesore behind.
Why Proactive Tree Care Matters Before Storm Season
The trees most likely to become emergencies during a storm are often the ones already showing warning signs beforehand — dead limbs, visible decay, or early leaning. Seasonal maintenance and periodic trimming before storm season reduces weak points in the canopy and lowers the odds of a 2 a.m. emergency call. With 25+ years serving Winston-Salem, our team has seen firsthand how much of storm damage is preventable with regular tree care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer emergency tree removal at night or on weekends? Yes, our team is available 24/7 for emergency tree removal, including storm damage and other hazardous situations.
A tree fell but didn’t hit anything — is it still an emergency? It depends on the situation. If it’s blocking access, near power lines, or leaning against another structure, it’s worth calling right away. If it’s fully down and clear of hazards, it can often be scheduled rather than treated as an emergency.
Will my insurance cover storm-related tree removal? Many homeowner’s policies cover storm damage, though coverage varies. Taking photos before cleanup and keeping documentation helps support any claim you file.
How can I tell if a tree is likely to fail in a future storm? Warning signs include leaning, cracked bark, dead branches, fungus at the base, or visible root damage. A free inspection is the most reliable way to assess risk before storm season arrives.
Are you insured for emergency and storm damage work? Yes, Wake Tree Services is fully insured, so you can have confidence your property and our crew are protected during every job.