Storm Damage Cleanup in Fayetteville, AR

The cleanup after the emergency

When a tree is on the house or blocking the drive, that is an emergency, and our emergency tree service handles it around the clock. But most storm damage is not that. It is a large limb down across the back fence, a tree uprooted in the side yard, broken branches stuck in the canopy, and a lawn covered in sticks and leaves. None of it is a crisis tonight, but all of it needs to be dealt with before it causes a bigger problem.

That is what storm damage cleanup covers. We cut up and remove what has fallen, take out the damaged wood still hanging in the trees, chip and haul the debris, and leave the yard ready to mow again.

What storms do to trees here

Fayetteville sees a little of everything. Spring brings strong thunderstorms, sometimes with straight-line winds that snap tops out of trees and push over anything with weak roots. Summer storms can drop heavy limbs from trees stressed by heat and drought. And every so often a winter ice storm coats every branch in the region and brings down limbs across whole neighborhoods. People who were here for the 2009 ice storm remember how long the cleanup took.

Each kind of storm leaves different damage. Wind tends to break tops and uproot trees. Ice breaks limbs throughout the crown and leaves many more hanging. Saturated ground after days of rain lets trees tip over roots and all. Knowing what you are looking at helps us plan the safest way to clean it up.

Hanging limbs are the hidden danger

A broken limb that is caught in the branches above, sometimes called a hanger, can stay there for days and then fall without warning. They are easy to miss from the ground, especially in a big tree that still has its leaves. After a storm, walk your yard and look up before you start picking up sticks under a tree. If you see broken wood hanging, keep people and pets away from that area until it has been removed.

What our cleanup includes

• Cutting up and removing fallen trees and large limbs
• Taking down broken and hanging limbs still in the canopy
• Pruning torn branch ends back to clean cuts so they can seal
• Removing trees that are too damaged or unstable to keep
• Chipping brush and hauling debris off the property
• Raking and blowing the work area when we are done
• Grinding stumps from uprooted or removed trees, if you want

If you would rather keep the wood for firewood, tell us, and we will cut it to length and stack it where you want.

Saving the trees that can be saved

A storm-damaged tree is not always a lost tree. Many trees that lose a limb or two can be pruned back to sound wood and will be fine for years. A tree with a split fork may be a candidate for cabling and bracing. Trees that have lost most of their crown, cracked through the trunk, or started to lift at the roots usually need to come out, and we handle those with the same care as any hazardous tree removal. We will walk through each damaged tree with you and explain which is which.

Insurance and documentation

Whether your policy covers storm cleanup depends on the policy and on what the tree hit. We cannot tell you what your insurer will pay, but we can make the claim easier. We take dated photos before and after the work and provide a written scope and an itemized invoice you can give your adjuster.

Be careful who you hire

After a big storm, out-of-town crews often go door to door. Some are fine. Some take a deposit and disappear, or do the job badly and leave. Ask for proof of insurance, get the price in writing, and do not pay in full before the work is finished. Those are good rules with any company, including us.

Also check that whoever you hire plans to haul the debris away, not just cut it and stack it at the curb.

Getting on the schedule

Call (479) 317-8391 or send the form with a short description of the damage. After a major storm, we work through calls in order of danger, starting with anything on a structure or blocking access, and we will tell you honestly when we can get to you.

Common questions

Should I cut up the fallen limbs myself?

Small sticks and branches on the ground, sure. But limbs that are under tension, pinned under other wood, or still attached to the tree can spring back when cut, and chainsaw injuries go up after every storm. Leave the big pieces and anything overhead to a crew.

Will the city pick up storm debris?

After major storms the city sometimes runs special debris pickup. Check the City of Fayetteville's announcements for current rules. If you would rather not wait, or the debris is too large for curbside pickup, we haul it away as part of the job.