The Short Answer
Keep clear of storm-damaged trees and address immediate threats before cleanup. For a downed power line, stay at least 30 feet away, call 911, then notify the utility.
What should you do first after a tree is damaged?
Keep people away from the damaged tree and determine whether emergency responders or the electric utility are needed. Do not begin by pulling branches aside or cutting a fallen trunk. A tree-service request comes after immediate threats to people, electrical hazards, and ongoing severe weather are addressed.
From a safe place, note what has happened: a limb is hanging, a tree is leaning differently, a trunk is on a structure, or debris is blocking access. You do not need a close-up photograph or a diagnosis before reporting a serious concern.
Wait for safe weather before inspecting the yard
If you hear thunder, take shelter in a substantial building or enclosed metal-topped vehicle. The National Weather Service advises staying sheltered for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder. Do not shelter under an isolated tree. NWS lightning safety.
That waiting period addresses lightning; it does not mean the damaged tree, yard, or building is safe afterward. Continue following local warnings and emergency instructions. A quiet interval in the weather is not a reason to walk beneath a broken canopy.
Downed lines or branches touching wires: contact emergency help first
Assume every downed power line is energized. Evergy says to stay at least 30 feet away, call 911, then report the line to the utility. Never remove a branch or object touching a line. Fallen trees and debris can conceal wires. Evergy power-restoration safety.
Tell others to stay out of the area from your own safe location. Do not approach a wire to decide whether it is a power or communications line. A private tree-service inquiry does not replace notifying emergency responders and the utility.
Recognize tree conditions that need prompt attention
A hanging limb, split trunk, or newly unstable root area should be assessed before people resume using the space. ISA's tree-risk guidance identifies broken branches, major cracks, and soil movement among the features that deserve attention. The location of people and property matters when evaluating the risk. ISA: Recognizing Tree Risk.
Report an immediate threat to life or public safety to 911. For tree work after those immediate needs are addressed, describe the situation through the emergency tree services page. Do not wait for a routine pruning appointment to mention a suspended limb over an entrance.
Keep an alternate route available if you can do so without entering the affected area. Do not try to reopen a blocked route by moving the branch yourself.
A tree on a building is more than a cleanup problem
Do not enter a visibly damaged building for photographs or possessions until authorities determine it is safe. CDC's post-tornado guidance warns about damaged structures, exposed debris, electrical hazards, and unusual shifting noises. CDC guidance after a tornado.
When reporting a tree on a structure, explain whether anyone is inside or injured and whether you see wires involved. Follow the responder's directions. Avoid walking onto a roof or moving the wood to inspect the damage beneath it.
Once immediate safety needs are handled, ask who will assess the building as well as who will handle the tree. Keep those responsibilities clear when discussing the remaining work.
Why a fallen tree can still be hazardous
Wood on the ground is not necessarily stable. CDC warns that bent, twisted, trapped, or suspended trees and branches can store tension and move violently when released. Even a small branch can injure someone. It recommends trained, experienced chainsaw operators for tree felling and limb removal. CDC chainsaw safety.
Leave loaded branches and tangled trees for an appropriately equipped crew. Do not stand on the trunk, pull it with a vehicle, or cut a branch holding another piece of wood in place. Keep bystanders away from both the damaged tree and active cleanup.
During the initial call, describe how the tree is resting: on the ground, on a fence, against another tree, or on a building. That is useful information; trying to test whether it will move is not.
What to tell the tree-service team
Prepare a brief description from a safe location. Share what you know, and mark uncertain details as uncertain.
- The property address and the tree's position, such as beside the garage or behind the house.
- Whether anyone is injured, trapped, or unable to use a safe entrance.
- Whether wires are involved or you cannot rule them out.
- What is broken, hanging, leaning, uprooted, or resting on another object.
- Whether emergency responders or the utility have already been contacted and any directions they gave.
- How the property can be reached without crossing the affected area.
- Photographs taken from safety, if available; do not approach for a better image.
Separate urgent work from the longer-term tree decision
After the immediate hazard is addressed, the remaining tree still needs a plan. K-State explains that severely split trunks and extensive structural damage can make removal appropriate, while less severe damage may be managed with suitable pruning. New shoots alone do not establish that a badly damaged tree has recovered structurally. K-State: Managing storm-damaged trees.
Ask which parts can be retained, what damage remains, and whether a follow-up assessment is recommended. Request a written description of the agreed tree work and cleanup. If additional work is proposed, have its scope and price explained before authorizing it.
Do not assume every fallen branch means whole-tree removal. Review tree trimming and tree removal as possible next steps after the tree has been assessed.
Public trees and storm debris in Wichita
Wichita Forestry handles public trees and responds to qualifying public-tree emergencies, including hazards or debris blocking streets. Use the City's reporting process for those concerns; an immediate threat to life belongs with 911. City of Wichita Forestry operations.
For a private-property tree concern, contact Wichita Tree Experts after emergency or utility needs have been addressed. Explain the observed damage and the work already completed so the next assessment starts with an accurate picture.
Common questions
A branch is touching a wire. Should I call a tree company first?
Stay clear and notify emergency responders and the utility. For a downed line, Evergy directs people to call 911 first, then report it to the utility. Do not touch or remove the branch.
Can I cut up a fallen tree if it is already on the ground?
Being on the ground does not prove it is stable. Trapped or bent wood can release stored tension. Have an appropriately trained and equipped professional assess it before cutting.
Does every storm-damaged tree need removal?
No. The decision depends on the remaining structure and damage. Ask whether appropriate pruning can address the problem and whether follow-up is needed; severe trunk or structural damage may make removal appropriate.
Your Property Comes First
Talk through your next step.
Tell Wichita Tree Experts what you are seeing and what you want to accomplish. We can discuss the work and provide a free estimate for your Wichita property.
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