Emergency Tree Service in Boise, Idaho
When a tree falls, splits, or sheds large limbs, the immediate concern is safety — for people, the house, and the property around it.
What counts as a tree emergency
A true tree emergency is a situation where the tree is actively hazardous, already fallen, or threatening to fall with people, a house, a vehicle, or a power line in the way. The key word is imminent danger — a branch dangling over a roof after a windstorm is an emergency; a tree that died last summer and is standing alone in the yard is a removal to be scheduled.
- A tree has fallen on or against a house, garage, fence, or vehicle
- A large limb has broken and is hanging — sometimes called a 'widowmaker' — and could come down unpredictably
- A tree has split vertically, and one or both halves are leaning or unstable
- A tree has fallen across a driveway, road, or walkway with no safe way around it
- A tree is contacting or very close to a power line after a storm
- The ground around a tree has heaved or cracked, suggesting the root plate has failed
What to do right after storm damage
- Keep people and pets well away from the damaged tree — falling limbs, secondary splits, and unstable root plates are all real hazards
- Do not attempt to remove a tree that is on or very near a power line — contact the utility directly; they handle the de-energizing and clearance work
- If the tree is resting on a structure, do not go inside the damaged area until the structure has been assessed as safe by someone qualified to judge it
- Document the damage thoroughly with photos from several angles before anything is moved — this helps with insurance and with scoping the work
- Contact your homeowner or property insurer as soon as possible; most policies cover tree damage to covered structures, but the claim process and coverage limits vary by policy
How emergency situations are handled
The first step is always a call or quote request so the situation can be described accurately — location, what fell, what it's resting on, whether it's near a power line. That information determines the approach and the crew. From there, work is scheduled as quickly as the site and conditions allow.
What to have ready when you call
- Your address and the best description of the damage
- Whether the tree is on a structure, a fence, a vehicle, or across a driveway or road
- Whether the tree is near or touching a power line
- Whether anyone was injured or the house is currently uninhabitable
- Photos if they're safe to take from a distance
- Your insurance company's name and policy number, if you have them on hand
Home insurance and storm damage — general points
Most homeowner and property insurance policies cover damage to covered structures caused by a fallen tree, and many cover removal costs up to the policy limit. There are typical exceptions worth knowing about:
- If a dead tree fell without a storm — from decay or disease alone — some policies treat it differently than storm damage
- Damage to fences, sheds, and other structures not listed on the policy may not be covered
- Trees themselves are usually covered only if they caused damage to a structure — standing dead trees or pre-existing tree issues may fall under maintenance, not insurance
- Deductibles apply, and some policies have specific hurricane, wind, or wildfire endorsements that change how tree claims are handled
Frequently asked questions
How fast can you respond to a tree emergency?
We help people work through storm-damage situations as quickly as we can. For a tree that is actively hazardous — on a structure, near a power line, or threatening to fall — the first step is to call and describe the situation so we can advise on the safest next step. We do not guarantee specific response times, as those depend on the crew, site access, and conditions.
My tree is still standing after the storm — should I be concerned?
It depends. A tree that weathered the storm and shows no new damage, no new lean, and no cracked soil is probably fine. A tree that was already declining, has visible lean that wasn't there before, cracked ground around the base, or large broken limbs hanging in the canopy is worth having looked at sooner rather than later — those are signs of real structural failure.
Who handles trees near power lines?
Trees within the working distance of live power lines require the utility to be involved — no tree crew handles clearance or removal work near live lines without the utility's participation. If a tree is on or very close to a power line, contact the utility first. We coordinate with the utility when the site is ready for tree work.
Does my homeowner's insurance cover tree removal?
Most homeowner policies cover removal costs when a tree has fallen on a covered structure. Coverage for a tree that fell in the yard without causing damage is less common. Deductibles and policy limits apply. Your insurer can tell you quickly what your specific policy covers — that is the most reliable first step.
What should I do while waiting for help?
Keep everyone — adults, children, and pets — away from the damaged tree and the area it may fall into. Do not go under a leaning or hanging tree to take photos, and do not attempt to remove limbs yourself, especially near power lines. If the tree is on the house and you are unsure whether the structure is safe, do not enter until it has been assessed.
Need help after a storm?
Describe the damage and we'll talk through the next steps.