Tree Removal After Storm in Lancaster PA — What to Do Right Now

Spring and early summer storms in Lancaster County don't just leave water damage. They snap branches, uproot trees, leave hazards hanging from power lines, and turn stable trees into immediate safety risks. I've spent fifteen years removing storm-damaged trees, and I've seen homeowners make two mistakes: waiting too long to call, and trying to handle it themselves. Both can be expensive and dangerous.

Here's what you need to know about storm damage removal and how to handle it safely.

Immediate Safety After a Storm

First priority: keep people and vehicles away from the damage. Broken branches and leaning trees can fail without warning. Here's how to assess what you've got:

• Branches hanging over your roof, garage, or driveway. These are hazards. Even if they haven't fallen yet, they're weighted with rain and unstable. Don't go under them, don't park under them, don't wait for the next storm.
• Trees leaning at a new angle. If a tree didn't lean before the storm and is now leaning, roots are damaged. The tree can fail in the next wind event.
• Branches touching or near power lines. Do not touch, trim, or remove these yourself. Call the power company and a professional tree service. That's a live electric hazard.
• Trees split or cracked at the base or main crotch. A tree that's split apart can fall suddenly. Treat it as an emergency.
• Multiple large limbs on the ground or hanging. Even if your house and vehicles are clear, broken limbs make the yard inaccessible and the tree unstable.

If any of these apply, call us at 717-297-1693 for immediate assessment. We prioritize storm damage and can often schedule same-day evaluations for hazardous situations.

Why You Shouldn't DIY Storm Cleanup

I understand the impulse to get a chainsaw and start cutting. It's your property, it looks like a straightforward job, and it seems like the fastest way to fix it. Then somebody gets hurt and suddenly an $800 removal job becomes a hospital bill and lost wages.

Storm-damaged wood is unpredictable. A branch that looks stable might be held in place only by bark or by contact with the trunk. When you make a cut, that tension releases and the branch can kick back, drop suddenly, or snap. Elevated cutting — working from a ladder or from the ground while cutting overhead — is the single most common way people get chainsaw injuries.

A tree that's already leaning or partially split is especially dangerous. The weight distribution is wrong. Cut it wrong and the whole tree can shift and fall. I've seen it happen to experienced arborists. It happens faster than you can react.

Professional removal takes account of weight, leverage, power lines, nearby structures, and escape routes. We have the rigging, the equipment, and the insurance to handle what DIY can't. The cost difference is minimal compared to the alternative.

Storm Tree Removal Timeline and Cost

After a major storm in Lancaster County, the entire region gets hit at once. Emergency removal that normally takes 2–3 days might take a week or longer because every crew is booked. That's why it matters to call quickly.

Keep in mind: during active storm season, emergency pricing is higher because crews are stretched. If you can schedule removal 2–3 days out instead of demanding same-day, you save money. But if a large tree is leaning toward your house or limbs are over a driveway where you park, that's urgent and it's worth the emergency rate.

Will Insurance Cover Storm Removal?

This is a common question and the answer depends on your policy. Most homeowners insurance covers tree removal if the tree damaged your house, roof, garage, or vehicles during the storm. Coverage is typically capped at $500–$5,000 per claim.

If the tree fell but didn't damage anything — fell in your yard, across your fence, or blocked a driveway — you usually pay out of pocket. Trees blow down; that's considered a maintenance issue, not a covered loss.

Check your policy or call your insurance agent before we start work. If damage is covered, we can provide invoices and documentation for your claim. Some insurance companies also have preferred contractors, so asking your agent for a referral can sometimes get you priority service.

What to Do Right Now

If you have storm damage to trees on your Lancaster County property:

1. Keep people and vehicles away from the damage until it's assessed.
2. Take photos of the damage and the area around it (for insurance).
3. Call us at 717-297-1693 for immediate assessment. Describe what you see: size of tree, where it is, what's threatened, what's broken.
4. If it involves power lines, call the power company first. Don't go near it.
5. If it's a safety hazard (leaning toward your house, branches over your roof), say so — we prioritize urgent situations.
6. Ask about insurance coverage when you call. We'll work with your claim if coverage applies.

Spring storms are part of living in Lancaster County. The sooner you address the damage, the safer your property is and the more you avoid escalating costs. A fallen branch today is a $300 cleanup. A split tree that fails during the next wind event might take out your garage.