What to Do Right After a Storm
Before you think about cleanup, think about safety. Trees and limbs that look harmless can be under tension, tangled in wires or ready to shift.
- Stay away from downed power lines and anything touching them, including branches, fences and standing water nearby. Assume every line is live, and call your utility company to let them know where it is.
- If anyone is hurt or in danger, call 911.
- Keep people and pets clear of hanging limbs, split trunks and leaning trees. A limb caught in the canopy can fall without warning.
- Do not climb on or under a tree that is resting on a roof, a vehicle or a fence. It can shift the moment it is disturbed.
- Do not try to cut up a tree that is touching a building or a wire. A chainsaw, a ladder and a stressed tree are a risky mix.
- If it is safe to do so, take photos from a distance for your own records.
Once everyone is safe, call us and let a trained crew handle the trees.
24/7 Storm Damage Cleanup When You Need It Most
Storms do not keep a schedule, and neither does our emergency service. Giraffe Tree Service offers 24/7 emergency response for fallen trees, hazardous limbs and storm damage. We serve Little Rock, North Little Rock and Pulaski County, plus Lonoke, Saline, Faulkner and Perry counties.
Call (501) 664-8733 and tell us what you are looking at: a tree on a house, a trunk across the driveway, a limb over the roofline. The more we know, the better we can plan the equipment and crew for the job.
Our crews are experienced, and we use modern equipment. We have been working in Little Rock since 1996.
Our Storm Damage Services
Storm cleanup usually involves more than one task. Depending on what the weather left behind, we can help with:
- Fallen tree removal, from a single trunk across a driveway to several trees down on one property
- Hazardous limb removal, including broken branches hanging in a canopy and dangerous overhangs
- Cutting up and clearing storm debris, with all debris cleaned up before we leave
- Stump grinding once a tree is gone, so the area is ready for new planting (see our stump removal page)
- Pruning for storm-damaged trees that can be saved
Our crews protect your landscaping as they work. Estimates are free, with no hidden fees.
Removing Trees From Roofs, Cars and Fences Safely
A tree that has landed on something is a different job from one that has fallen in an open yard. Its weight is often resting on a roof, a car or a fence, and cutting the wrong piece first can let the rest shift or drop.
For complex removals we use cranes and modern rigging equipment. Rigging lets crews support a limb or trunk section, cut it and lower it under control instead of letting it fall onto what is underneath. Trees like this are usually taken down in pieces, one section at a time, with the plan set before the first cut.
What we can and cannot do depends on the situation. If a structure has been damaged, a roofer or builder will need to assess that separately. Our part is getting the tree safely off your property.
After the Cleanup: Saving the Trees That Survived
Not every tree that survives a storm is in the clear. Broken branches, torn bark and cracked limbs can leave a tree weaker than it looks, and some are worth saving.
Before recommending any service, we assess each tree's structure, canopy, root zone and overall vitality. For a storm-damaged tree, that can mean pruning away broken or hanging limbs, reducing the crown, or adding support such as cabling and bracing. Some trees are too far gone, and removal is the safer call. We will tell you which is which.
Why Little Rock Calls Giraffe Tree Service After a Storm
Giraffe Tree Service is a locally owned Little Rock business, founded in 1996 and led by President Dean Goodson. We serve residential, commercial and municipal clients, with modern equipment and crews who work storm damage as well as routine tree care. Learn more about our company.
Storm Damage Cleanup FAQs
Should I move a fallen branch off my driveway myself?
A small branch that is clearly away from wires and nowhere near a building is usually fine to move if you can do it safely. Leave anything large, tangled, under tension or touching a line or a structure to a trained crew. If you are unsure, step back and call.
What should I have ready when I call?
Be ready to tell us where the tree is, what it is resting on, whether any wires are involved and whether anyone is at risk. Photos taken from a safe distance can help describe the situation. Have your address and a good phone number handy so we can talk through next steps.
Is a leaning tree an emergency even if it has not fallen?
It can be. A tree leaning toward a house, with a cracked trunk, or with soil lifted around its base may be close to failing, especially after heavy wind or soaked ground. Keep people and vehicles out of its fall zone and call for an assessment.
Do you handle storm damage on commercial and municipal properties?
Yes. We work with residential, commercial and municipal clients, including property managers. Parking areas, access drives and building perimeters can all need attention after a storm, so tell us about the site and any areas that need to stay open.
Does a fallen tree always need a crane?
No. Many fallen trees can be cut up and cleared with chainsaws and ground crews. Cranes and rigging come into play for complex removals, such as a large tree resting on a house or in a tight space where pieces cannot simply be dropped. We will tell you what the job needs once we see it.
