Emergency and storm tree removal in Port St. Lucie, FL
Tree down after a storm in Port St. Lucie, FL? Learn what to do first and get a quote from an independent local tree service. Ask for proof of insurance.
A tree down after a storm is stressful, and the first hour matters. What you do right away protects your family and can protect an insurance claim. The Treasure Coast has been through hurricanes and tropical storms many times, so crews here know the routine, but after a big storm the phones fill up fast.
What to do first
- Stay away from anything near a power line. A downed line can be live even if nothing is sparking. Call your utility and 911 for a line on the ground. Do not touch a tree that is touching a line.
- Get everyone out of any area that is not safe. If a tree is on the house and the roof or walls look unstable, leave.
- Take photos and video of the tree, the damage and the surrounding yard before anything is moved.
- Call your insurance company to ask what your policy covers and what steps they want you to take.
- Cover openings in the roof or walls if you can do it safely, and keep the receipts. A tarp is not a job to take on from a ladder in the wind.
What insurance may cover
Policies differ a lot, so ask your insurer rather than assuming. Many homeowners policies help with removing a tree that has fallen on a structure, and may cover less, or nothing, for a tree that has fallen on the lawn without hitting anything. There are often limits per tree and per claim, and a hurricane deductible can apply. Keep the photos, the written quote and the invoice.
What emergency work involves
Emergency jobs are mostly about making the property safe: getting the tree off the house, clearing the driveway or street, and cutting hanging limbs, called widowmakers, that could drop. A tree resting on a roof is dangerous to cut, because the weight can shift, so crews plan the cuts or use a crane.
Watch for storm chasers
After a hurricane, crews arrive from all over, and some are good and some are not. Be careful with anyone who knocks on your door, asks for the full price in cash up front or cannot show proof of insurance. Ask for general liability and workers compensation coverage, and get the scope of work in writing, even if the paper is a text message.
Permits and rules
Whether you need a permit depends on the tree, the lot and the jurisdiction. The City of Port St. Lucie regulates protected trees through Planning and Zoning, though it has treated platted single family lots as exempt, so call the city to confirm. Outside the city, county or town rules apply. Florida Statute 163.045 limits what a local government can require when a certified arborist or licensed landscape architect documents that a tree is dangerous. Your HOA may still need to approve the work. The full explanation is on the tree removal page.
What it costs
Emergency work often costs more than a planned job, because it is urgent, the conditions are hard and demand spikes after a storm. A simple cleanup of a few limbs may be a few hundred dollars. A large tree on a roof can cost a few thousand, and a crane adds more. Get a written estimate if you can, and ask what is included.
For work that is not urgent, see tree removal, and for ways to lower the risk before next season, see tree and palm trimming.
Related services
We refer homeowners in Port St. Lucie, Tradition, St. Lucie West, Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach, Palm City, and nearby neighborhoods.