A storm passes through Des Moines. The wind dies down, the rain stops, and then comes the part nobody is prepared for — walking outside to find a tree across the fence, a branch sitting on the roof, or a massive trunk leaning against the side of the house at an angle it definitely wasn’t at yesterday. The immediate instinct for a lot of people is to start dealing with it all on their own. This is not the right solution and, in fact, can make the situation worse and even get you hurt.
Tree hazards after a storm require professional handling. This guide covers what to do, what not to do, and when to call emergency tree service Des Moines professionals before the situation gets worse.
Step One: Keep Everyone Away from the Tree
Before anything else, clear the area. Trees that are under strain after a storm and look normal from outside can be unpredictable. For instance, a trunk that is split, maybe only in part, might seem steady, but then it can release all of a sudden because of its own weight. And that big hanging branch in the crown (people in arboriculture sometimes say widow maker) can fall out of nowhere, even without any warning.
Your first job is not to fix the problem, but rather to make sure nobody is standing underneath it while you call emergency tree service Des Moines.
Step Two: Check for Power Line Involvement
One of the most dangerous mistakes property owners make after storm damage is assuming a line is dead because the power is out in the house. Lines can still carry current under those conditions
If the downed tree or branch has come anywhere near power lines, treat every line as live. Do not touch the tree. Do not touch any wire. Do not stand in water near the area. Immediately call for 24hr emergency tree service so a crew is on the way.
Step Three: Document Before Anything Gets Moved
Take photos of everything before a single branch gets touched. The position of the tree, the damage to any structures, and the condition of the surrounding area.
Insurance claims require documentation of what the damage actually looked like at the time, and once cleanup starts, that evidence is gone. Five minutes with a phone camera before anyone starts working saves a significant headache later.
Step Four: Call the Right People
This is where a lot of property owners lose time. General handymen, landscapers, and storm cleanup crews are not tree service professionals.
The person making decisions about how to remove a tree that’s leaning against a wall, or safely extract a branch from a compromised roof section, needs to understand load distribution, tension in wood, and how cutting sequence affects what happens next.
If Emergency tree service is done wrong means wrong cut in the wrong place can turn a controlled situation into a dangerous one fast. Xtreme Tree’s emergency crews are ISA Certified Arborists with TRAQ credentials, meaning they’re qualified to assess structural risk and execute removal safely, not just move wood.
What Xtreme Tree Handles on Emergency Calls
Storm-damaged trees resting on structures, widow makers in the canopy, partially uprooted trees, blocked driveways, and branch removal from roofs — all of this falls within the scope of an emergency call. The team assesses on arrival, secures the work area, removes what needs to come down, and leaves the property safe.
Xtreme Tree covers Des Moines, West Des Moines, Waukee, Johnston, Clive, Urbandale, Grimes, and surrounding communities — around the clock, every day of the year.
The One Thing Not to Wait On
If something on the property looks wrong after a storm — leaning, cracked, hanging, or down — don’t wait to see if it holds through the next round of weather. It rarely does, and the second event is always worse than the first. So why take the risk?
Call reliable professionals like Xtreme Tree and protect your home, family, and property today!