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What to Do After a Storm Damages Your Tree: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 15:28:01 GMT

First, make sure everyone is safe. Stay clear of downed power lines, leaning trees, and unstable limbs. Then document the damage, contact your insurance company, and call a licensed tree service for removal and cleanup.

Step 1: Keep Everyone Clear of Danger

Treat every downed power line as energized. Stay well back, at least 35 feet, which is the distance many utilities recommend. Call your electric provider and 911 if a line is involved. In much of Jacksonville, JEA handles electric service. Never drive over or near a downed line, and never try to cut a tree that is lodged against a structure or under tension.

Step 2: Document Everything Before Cleanup

Take photos and video from several angles, including the root area if it is exposed. Make a list of damaged property such as fences, vehicles, roofing, and landscaping. Keep receipts for any temporary repairs. Avoid throwing away damaged items until your insurer has had a chance to review them.

Step 3: Call Your Insurance Company

Report the damage promptly. Ask specifically whether the policy covers removing a tree from a structure, and whether debris removal is included. Coverage varies widely, so get the answer in writing if you can.

Step 4: Leave Hazards to Professionals

Some situations are too dangerous for a homeowner to handle, even with the right tools:

• A trunk or large limb resting on a roof, vehicle, or fence

• Any branch touching or tangled in power lines

• A tree that is still leaning or shifting under load

• Broken limbs hanging in the canopy above a walkway or driveway

Wind-loaded wood can move unpredictably, and a chainsaw in the hands of someone without training is a serious risk.

Step 5: Call a 24-Hour Storm Service

Shaw's Tree Service provides 24-hour storm response across Jacksonville and the surrounding North Florida area. When you call, ask whether the company is licensed and insured, whether the quote includes cleanup and debris hauling, and whether you will receive a written estimate. After a major storm, be cautious of door-to-door solicitors offering quick work. Reputable companies will put their scope and pricing in writing.

Prevent Repeat Damage

Once the cleanup is done, schedule an assessment of the trees that remain. Look for the warning signs covered in our guide to hurricane-season tree safety, and consider trimming overhanging limbs before the next storm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need emergency help? Call (904) 388-9960 . Shaw's Tree Service offers 24-hour storm service.

Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Jacksonville, FL?

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 15:25:42 GMT

It depends on the tree, the property, and the reason for removal. Jacksonville has local tree protection rules, and certain trees or sites can require review before work begins. Confirm the current requirements with the City of Jacksonville before you remove a large or protected tree.

Why Local Rules Matter

Removing a tree without required approval can lead to fines, replanting requirements, or delays in a home sale or construction project. The rules are easy to check before you cut and expensive to fix afterward. A short call to the city can save a great deal of trouble.

Situations That Often Need a Closer Look

Certain trees and properties tend to draw more attention from local authorities:

• Large or heritage trees, especially those above a certain trunk diameter.

• Protected species, which may be treated differently from common ornamental trees.

• Properties under development or construction, where tree preservation is often part of site plans.

• Sites near wetlands, waterways, or conservation land, which can carry extra rules.

Your neighborhood may also have its own rules. Many homeowners associations have covenants that govern tree removal, even when city rules do not.

Emergency Removal Is Different

When a tree is an immediate hazard, such as one leaning on a home or blocking a road, safety comes first. Call a professional and document the damage with photos. After the emergency, confirm with the city whether any reporting or follow-up is required. A licensed arborist can also help you describe the situation accurately.

Steps to Take Before You Cut

1. Identify the tree. Note its species, approximate size, and location on the lot.

2. Check city requirements. Contact the City of Jacksonville's permitting or planning office with the address and tree details.

3. Check your HOA or deed restrictions. Private covenants can apply in addition to city rules.

4. Review your insurance policy. Know what is covered and document the tree's condition first.

5. Hire a licensed, insured company. Ask for written proof of insurance and a clear scope of work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not sure whether your tree needs review? Call (904) 388-9960 . Our arborists can assess the tree and help you understand your next steps.

How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Jacksonville? What Affects the Price

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 15:23:54 GMT

Tree removal in Jacksonville usually costs more for large trees, trees close to a home or power lines, and trees that are hard to reach. Because every property is different, the most accurate number comes from an on-site estimate. This guide explains what drives the price so you know what to expect before you call.

The Main Factors That Set the Price

No two removals are identical. These are the factors that most affect what a professional quote includes:

• Tree size and height. Taller trees with wide canopies take longer to take down safely and often need more equipment.

• Proximity to structures. A tree that can drop straight to the ground is simpler than one that has to be lowered in sections between a roofline, a fence, and a pool.

• Condition. Trees with decay, cracks, or a new lean are harder to predict under load, so they often require more careful rigging.

• Access. Narrow side yards, locked gates, and steep or wet ground all add labor time.

• Scope of work. A quote may cover felling and removal only, or include limb cleanup, debris hauling, and stump grinding.

• Urgency. Emergency work after a storm is scheduled around immediate hazards and high demand, which can change how it is priced.

Why a Free Estimate Beats a Phone Quote

A photo or a description can't show a leaning trunk, hidden decay at the base, or a power line running through the canopy. A site visit lets an arborist see the full picture and write a quote that matches the actual job. Shaw's Tree Service offers free estimates, so you can compare the scope of work, not just the bottom-line number.

Ways to Keep Costs Under Control

• Schedule before storm season. Planned work is easier to fit into a crew's calendar than emergency removal after a storm.

• Ask whether trimming is enough. Pruning can reduce risk for a healthy tree without the expense of removal.

• Bundle services. Removal and stump grinding booked together are often easier to coordinate than two separate jobs.

• Compare scope, not just price. Make sure each quote states cleanup, debris removal, and insurance coverage.

Is Tree Removal Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

It depends on the policy and the cause. Coverage often applies when a tree falls because of a covered event, such as a storm, and damages an insured structure. Removing a tree simply because it is old or unwanted is usually not covered. Review your policy and call your insurer before work begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready for a number you can count on? Call (904) 388-9960 or request a free estimate at shawtree.com/tree-quote.

7 Warning Signs Your Tree Won't Survive Hurricane Season

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:10:11 GMT

North Florida's hurricane season runs from June through November, which means right now, in the heart of it, is exactly the wrong time to find out your tree can't handle a storm. Every year, Shaw's Tree Service gets calls after a tropical system rolls through Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, and the surrounding area, and almost every one of those calls is for a tree that showed warning signs weeks or months before it actually came down.

The good news: most hazardous trees give you notice. Here's what to look for, and what to do about it, before the next storm forecast rolls in.

1. A Leaning Trunk

A tree that's always leaned a certain way isn't necessarily a problem. A tree that's leaning more than it used to, or one that developed a lean recently, usually means the root system has been compromised. Heavy rain and saturated soil, common throughout North Florida in late summer, make this worse by loosening the ground around the roots.

What to do: If you notice new or worsening lean, especially after a recent storm or period of heavy rain, have it inspected before the next one.

2. Cracks or Splits in the Trunk

Vertical cracks, splits, or seams in a tree's trunk are a sign that the wood's structural integrity has already failed in that spot. Under wind load, a cracked trunk is far more likely to snap.

What to do: Don't wait. A cracked trunk is one of the more urgent hazards we see, since it can fail with very little warning.

3. Dead or Hanging Limbs

Deadwood is one of the most common causes of storm-related property damage, and it's also one of the easiest problems to prevent. Dead limbs lose flexibility and strength, so they're often the first thing to come down in high wind, sometimes landing on roofs, cars, or power lines.

What to do: Routine trimming that removes deadwood before storm season significantly reduces this risk.

4. Fungus, Mushrooms, or Cavities at the Base

Mushrooms growing at the base of a tree, or soft, hollow-sounding spots in the trunk, often indicate internal decay. A tree can look perfectly healthy from a distance and still be structurally unsound at the base, which is exactly where it needs strength most.

What to do: These trees need a professional evaluation. Decay at the base is one of the harder problems to judge from the ground, and it's also one of the most dangerous if the tree does fail.

5. Roots Lifting the Soil or Sidewalk

If you're noticing the ground heaving near the base of a tree, or roots pushing up pavement, sidewalks, or your driveway, the root system may be shifting. This is especially common in Jacksonville's sandy soil, which doesn't anchor large trees as firmly as clay-heavy soil further inland.

What to do: Lifting soil is often visible well before a tree actually leans or falls. It's worth a look from someone who can tell the difference between normal root growth and a sign of instability.

6. Limbs Overhanging the Roof, Driveway, or Power Lines

Even a perfectly healthy tree becomes a bigger risk if its canopy hangs directly over your home, car, or the power lines feeding your street. In a hurricane or strong tropical storm, it's not just about whether a limb breaks. It's about what's underneath it when it does.

What to do: Strategic trimming to reduce canopy weight and clear overhangs is one of the most cost-effective ways to limit storm damage before it happens.

7. A Recent, Unexplained Change in Foliage

A tree that suddenly drops leaves out of season, or shows thinning, yellowing, or patchy foliage without an obvious cause, may be stressed or in decline. Stressed trees are generally more vulnerable to wind damage than healthy ones.

What to do: This one's easy to miss because it looks gradual. If a tree looks noticeably different than it did a few months ago, it's worth having someone take a closer look.

What to Do Before the Next Storm

If you recognize any of these signs on your property, don't wait for a storm warning to do something about it. Once a hurricane or tropical storm is in the forecast, tree service companies get booked quickly, and some hazards, like a badly cracked trunk, aren't safe to leave standing even for a few days.

A few things you can do right now:

● Walk your property and look specifically for the signs above, especially on large trees near your home

● Schedule trimming for any limbs overhanging your roof, driveway, or power lines

● Have any tree with decay, cracking, or a new lean evaluated by a professional

● Know who to call for emergency removal before you need them, not during a hurricane watch

When It's Too Late to Wait

If a storm is already approaching and you have a tree that looks like it could fail, don't try to handle it yourself. Large limbs and leaning trees under wind load are dangerous even for experienced crews with the right equipment, let alone a homeowner with a chainsaw. Get people and pets clear of the area and call a professional.

Shaw's Tree Service provides 24-hour emergency storm response throughout Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns, Nocatee, and the rest of North Florida. Whether you need a hazardous tree assessed before the next storm or emergency cleanup after one, our crews are ready.

Call (904) 388-9960 for a free estimate, or request one online .

brwq4045-mbhuhdz4jzboqx1s

What to Do After a Storm Damages Your Tree: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Keep Everyone Clear of Danger

Step 2: Document Everything Before Cleanup

Step 3: Call Your Insurance Company

Step 4: Leave Hazards to Professionals

Step 5: Call a 24-Hour Storm Service

Prevent Repeat Damage

Frequently Asked Questions ﻿

Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Jacksonville, FL?

Why Local Rules Matter

Situations That Often Need a Closer Look

Emergency Removal Is Different

Steps to Take Before You Cut

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Jacksonville? What Affects the Price

The Main Factors That Set the Price

Why a Free Estimate Beats a Phone Quote

Ways to Keep Costs Under Control

Is Tree Removal Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

Frequently Asked Questions

7 Warning Signs Your Tree Won't Survive Hurricane Season

1. A Leaning Trunk

2. Cracks or Splits in the Trunk

3. Dead or Hanging Limbs

4. Fungus, Mushrooms, or Cavities at the Base

5. Roots Lifting the Soil or Sidewalk

6. Limbs Overhanging the Roof, Driveway, or Power Lines

7. A Recent, Unexplained Change in Foliage

What to Do Before the Next Storm

When It's Too Late to Wait

Frequently Asked Questions