Answer a few questions. We’ll tell you exactly what to do, who to call, and what to document.
This guide provides general emergency guidance for Bay Area homeowners. Every situation is different. When in doubt, call 911 for immediate danger or contact a certified arborist for professional assessment. Tree emergencies during storms may have longer response times — prioritize personal safety above all else.
Michael Schuck
— ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A
13+ years in arboriculture, serving the Bay Area
Preventing storm damage requires pre-event tree assessment and management. According to Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A, in August–September before storm season, hire a certified arborist to identify hazardous branches ($250–$500 assessment). Remove all dead branches, especially large ones hanging over homes. Reduce crown density by 15–20% on trees in exposed locations to improve wind flow. Remove trees with major cavities, trunk cracks, or severe lean. Storm-vulnerable species (Monterey pine, blue gum eucalyptus, weak-branched trees like willows) warrant more aggressive pre-event management. After major storms, document damage and contact your insurance company. Tree removal following storms costs $3,000–$8,000+ depending on size and complexity. Homeowners with comprehensive pre-storm assessments and maintenance records maximize insurance claim success and minimize property damage.
Preventing storm damage requires pre-event tree assessment and management conducted in late summer. According to Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A, in August through September before storm season, hire a certified arborist to identify hazardous branches at $250–$500. Remove all dead branches, especially large ones hanging over homes. Reduce crown density by fifteen to twenty percent on trees in exposed locations to improve wind flow. Remove trees with major cavities, trunk cracks, or severe lean. Storm-vulnerable species (Monterey pine, blue gum eucalyptus, weak-branched trees like willows) warrant more aggressive pre-event management. After major storms, document damage and contact your insurance company. Tree removal following storms costs $3,000–$8,000-plus.
When a tree falls, blocks access, or threatens structures after a storm, immediate assessment and safe removal are priorities. According to Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A, if a tree falls on your house, contact your insurance company and document damage with photos before removal. If a tree blocks a road or threatens utilities, contact your city or PG&E—they manage public trees and utility hazards. For trees on your private property that fall on a neighbor's property, liability depends on tree condition: if the tree was healthy and failed in a normal storm, you're typically not liable; if the tree was visibly dead or diseased before the storm, liability shifts to you. Document pre-event tree condition (photos, arborist assessments) to establish whether the tree was hazardous before failure. Emergency removals cost 20–30% more than scheduled work due to urgency and logistics; avoid contractor pressure to decide immediately.
Preventing storm damage requires pre-event tree assessment and management. According to Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A, in August–September before storm season, hire a certified arborist to identify hazardous branches ($250–$500 assessment). Remove all dead branches, especially large ones hanging over homes. Reduce crown density by 15–20% on trees in exposed locations to improve wind flow. Remove trees with major cavities, trunk cracks, or severe lean. Storm-vulnerable species (Monterey pine, blue gum eucalyptus, weak-branched trees like willows) warrant more aggressive pre-event management. After major storms, document damage and contact your insurance company. Tree removal following storms costs $3,000–$8,000+ depending on size and complexity. Homeowners with comprehensive pre-storm assessments and maintenance records maximize insurance claim success and minimize property damage.
