Storm damage & emergency tree removal in Tacoma

First steps after a tree comes down

1. People first. If the tree hit the house and you hear creaking, see a sagging ceiling, or smell gas, get everyone out and call 911.
2. Don't cut it yourself. Fallen trees and hung-up limbs are often under heavy tension and can jump or roll when cut. Never run a chainsaw from a ladder or a roof.
3. Photograph everything from several angles before anything is moved. Your insurance adjuster will want it.
4. Call your insurer to open a claim, and ask what it covers for tree removal and emergency tarping.
5. Ask for tree help. Call or send the form with photos. Say whether the tree is on a structure, blocking your only way out, or still moving.

If the tree is in the street or planting strip

If a tree in the public right-of-way has fallen and is blocking cars or people, the City of Tacoma's Public Works Emergency Line is (253) 591-5495. For a street tree that's an imminent hazard but still standing, the city's tree FAQ says to call 311 and ask for an emergency inspection. Tacoma's right-of-way rules allow emergency removals to deal with an immediate threat, but the city must be notified first and a permit obtained within 30 days. A tree service can help with that paperwork.

Why Tacoma trees fail in storms

Our strongest winds usually come in fall and winter, often from the south and southwest, after weeks of rain have soaked the ground. Exposed spots such as the Narrows and North End bluffs, the Northeast Tacoma hillside and open areas along the tideflats take the brunt of it. Tall conifers in wet soil can lift out root plate and all. Trees left standing alone after nearby lots were cleared are especially vulnerable. Heavy wet snow and ice add weight that big-leaf maple limbs and fir branches can't always carry.

Getting ready before the next one

• Walk the yard in September. Look for new leans, cracked soil, dead tops, hanging broken limbs and fungus at the base.
• Look up the alley side too. Limbs over garages and wires often go unnoticed.
• Have big trees near the house checked by a qualified pro or ISA Certified Arborist, and get high-risk work done in the drier months, before crews are booked out.