A Guide to Tree Debris Removal After a Storm in Northern Virginia

After a storm, your yard can look like a war zone with broken branches, fallen limbs, and damaged trees scattered across your yard. While some cleanup tasks are safe to handle on your own, others require professional tree debris removal to keep your property safe and prevent further damage. Here’s what to look for after a storm, what you can do yourself, and when it’s time to call in the pros.

Key Takeaways:

• After a storm, inspect trees for damage to the roots, trunks, and canopies to determine what to cleanup and whether a tree can remain standing.
• Homeowners can safely handle tasks like cleaning up small branches, trimming easily reachable branches, applying mulch, and monitoring trees for future issues.
• Call a professional arborist for dangerous tasks, including tree removal, pruning high branches, and disposing of large branches, especially in urban areas throughout Fairfax and Arlington.
• Regular tree maintenance, like proper pruning, can make trees more resilient to storm damage.

What to Do After a Storm in Northern Virginia

Storms in Northern Virginia can be especially damaging, as area residents found out firsthand in early 2025 when a massive storm knocked down trees into houses and power lines.

Once the storm passes and it’s safe to step outside, there are a few important steps you can take to protect your trees, your property, and your safety.

Inspect Your Trees

While broken branches on the ground or downed trees are obvious, some signs of storm damage to your trees are tougher to identify. You’ll need to look at the base of the tree as well as its canopy for symptoms. If you’re having trouble telling if you have a problem in the canopy, consider using binoculars to get a better view.

Some of the things to look for after a storm include:

• Root Damage: If your tree has developed a lean that it didn’t have before or has newly exposed roots, it could be a sign that the roots are damaged. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may have to remove the tree to prevent further problems.
• Trunk Damage: High winds and flying debris can tear the bark off a trunk or cause at-risk sections of a tree to develop cracks. These cracks will be even bigger threats during the next period of extreme weather.
• Canopy Damage: Branches may end up broken and remain in the canopy, or they may have lost their leaves from the wind. Any branches that look out of the ordinary will likely require your attention.

WARNING: Even after a storm, your tree can be dangerous. Branches may dangle in the canopy and fall off from the slightest provocation. Always maintain a safe distance from the tree to protect yourself from injury.

Clean Up the Debris

Now that you know what kind of damage your tree suffered, you can start to make plans to clean up the debris and help it recover. Some tasks are easy for homeowners, while an experienced tree debris removal team can handle more difficult work.

Storm Damage Cleanup You Can Do

• Clean Up Small Branches: Smaller branches and debris from your trees are easy to clean up. Start by picking up anything easy enough to handle and putting it into a pile. Once you have everything gathered, you can dispose of it however is appropriate for you, whether through burning when permissible (always follow the 4 PM Burning Laws) or taking the debris to a landfill.
• Trim Reachable Branches: We recommend pruning if you can reach the branches yourself and have the skills and knowledge necessary. Focus on broken or damaged branches that won’t recover from the storm.
• Mulch to Help Roots: Placing a layer of organic mulch around your tree after a storm can help protect the roots from further damage and aid them in recovery. Keep the mulch to a two to four-inch layer.
• Monitor Your Tree: Even after the worst is over for a tree, you still need to regularly check it for any signs of problems in the future. The damage from a storm can leave your tree vulnerable to insects and diseases that may require chemical treatment down the line. Keep a close eye on your tree as it heals its wounds for any signs of insect or disease problems.

Storm Damage Cleanup Tasks That Require Expert Help

• Removing a Tree: Removing a mature tree is never a job to handle yourself. Tree removal is hazardous, especially in urban environments like Fairfax or Arlington. Whether it’s still standing or uprooted, leave these jobs to professionals with cranes and rigging equipment to safely remove these trees.
• Pruning Hard-to-Reach Branches: While trimming small, low branches is safe for most homeowners, anything higher should be left to a professional. Climbing a ladder with pruning tools is risky and often leads to injury or improper cuts. A Certified Arborist will know how to safely remove dead or damaged limbs and make the right cuts to support your tree’s recovery.
• Disposing of Large Branches: Large branches can be difficult to move and nearly impossible to dispose of without the right equipment. A professional tree service can take care of it quickly – without the hassle or risk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Debris Removal and Storm Damage in Northern Virginia

To help you understand the importance of taking care of your trees before and after a storm, we’ve answered some of the most frequent questions we get from homeowners about this service.

What should I do with big branches or a fallen tree?

Don’t try to move or cut large debris on your own, especially if it’s under tension or near power lines. A professional crew with chainsaws, chippers, and proper safety gear can handle it efficiently and safely.

Is tree debris removal covered by insurance?

It depends on the situation and your policy. If a tree falls on your home or blocks access, cleanup is often covered. If it just falls in your yard, it may not be. Check with your insurer.

Do I need to remove the tree if it’s still standing but damaged?

Trees are much more durable than we think and can recover from significant damage. Some of the ways to tell if you can save a tree include asking:

• Has the tree lost more than 50 percent of its canopy?
• Has it lost its main trunk?
• How many major broken limbs does it have?
• How much bark damage is there?

If you aren’t sure about your tree’s chances, contact an arborist and have them inspect it and provide a recommendation.

For Safe, Reliable Storm Cleanup and Tree Debris Removal, Call Absolute Tree

After a major storm, cleaning up fallen branches and damaged trees can quickly become more than a DIY job. When it’s too much to handle alone, you can count on the experienced team at Absolute Tree.

We’ve worked through countless storms across Northern Virginia and know exactly what it takes to clean up safely and efficiently. From hauling away debris to pruning damaged limbs and removing unstable trees, we have the tools – and the training – to get the job done right.

If you need help after a storm, call us today at 703-969-6207 or request an estimate online.