When to Call for Removal
Storm Damage Signs: When a Tree Needs to Come Down
After every Oklahoma storm — tornado, derecho, ice storm, or straight-line winds — homeowners face the same question: is that tree safe, or does it need to come down? Some damage is obvious (tree on your roof). Some is hidden and far more dangerous. This guide covers the warning signs that tell you a storm-damaged tree needs professional removal.
Last updated: 2026-05-06
8 Warning Signs After a Storm
Check your trees within 24 hours after severe weather. Look for these signs — any one of them is reason to call a professional:
1. The Tree Is Leaning More Than Before
If a tree that was upright is now leaning at an angle, the root system may have partially failed. Look at the base — if you see cracked or heaved soil on the side opposite the lean, the roots have torn. A leaning tree with root plate disruption can fall without warning. Stay away and call immediately.
2. Large Branches Hanging or Broken ("Hangers")
Broken branches that are still lodged in the canopy are called "hangers" or "widow makers" for good reason. They can drop at any time — a gust of wind, vibration from traffic, even gravity on a calm day. Never stand or park under a tree with hanging broken branches.
3. Split Trunk or Major Fork Failure
If the trunk has split — especially at a V-crotch union where two major leaders meet — the tree's structural integrity is compromised. Split trunks don't heal. The tree will either need to be removed or, in rare cases, cabled by an arborist if both halves are still sound.
4. More Than 50% of the Crown Is Damaged
A tree can survive losing a few branches. But when more than half the crown is gone — stripped by winds, broken by ice, or torn by a tornado — the tree usually can't recover. It will either die slowly over the next 1–2 years or become a standing hazard with dead wood falling unpredictably.
5. Bark Stripped from the Trunk
Large sections of missing bark (especially spiraling patterns from lightning) expose the tree's inner wood to disease, insects, and rot. If more than 25–30% of the trunk circumference has lost bark, the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients is severely compromised.
6. Exposed or Severed Roots
Storms can shift soil and expose major roots. If large anchoring roots (4+ inches diameter) are visible, cracked, or severed, the tree's stability is permanently reduced. This is especially dangerous for large trees — an 80-foot oak with severed roots can topple in the next moderate wind event.
7. The Tree Was Already Stressed Before the Storm
Trees that were already declining — dead branches, fungal growth, sparse canopy, woodpecker activity (a sign of internal insects) — are far more likely to fail after storm damage. Storm stress on top of existing stress is often the tipping point.
8. The Tree Is Now Touching or Near Power Lines
If a storm pushed a tree or branches into contact with power lines, do NOT approach. Call OG&E at (405) 272-9741 to report the hazard. Downed power lines can energize the ground around the tree. Only after the utility has cleared the electrical hazard should a tree crew address the tree itself.
What to Do Immediately After Storm Damage
Never attempt DIY removal of storm-damaged trees. Broken wood under tension can snap violently when cut. This is the most dangerous scenario in tree work — even for professionals.
- Stay clear of the tree — especially if it's leaning, has hangers, or is near power lines.
- Document everything with photos — your insurance company will need them.
- Call your insurance agent — if the tree hit an insured structure (house, garage, fence, car), your policy likely covers removal.
- Call a professional tree service — call (405) 561-6814 for 24/7 emergency response. Do NOT attempt to remove storm-damaged trees yourself. Stressed, broken wood is unpredictable.
- Keep people and pets away from the damage zone until a professional assesses the situation.
Can a Storm-Damaged Tree Be Saved?
Sometimes, yes. A tree may be saveable if:
- Less than 50% of the crown is damaged
- The trunk is intact (no splits or major bark loss)
- The root system is stable (no lean, no heaved soil)
- The remaining branch structure is balanced and can support regrowth
- The tree was healthy before the storm (no pre-existing decay or disease)
Insurance and Storm Damage Tree Removal
Homeowner's insurance in Oklahoma typically covers tree removal when:
- The tree fell on an insured structure (house, garage, shed, fence)
- The tree is blocking a driveway or accessible path (some policies)
- The damage was caused by a covered peril (wind, hail, ice, lightning)
Emergency Response from Eden Tree Company
We respond to storm damage emergencies 24/7 across the OKC metro. When a storm hits, call (405) 561-6814 — we answer around the clock, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Our emergency crew can typically be on site within 1–2 hours for critical situations (tree on house, blocking driveway, near power lines). We carry the equipment and experience to handle the most complex storm damage scenarios safely.
We also work directly with insurance adjusters. We can document the damage, provide the scope of work your adjuster needs, and handle the removal so you can focus on getting your property back to normal.
Get 24/7 Emergency Tree Service
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Call (405) 561-6814