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Wind, heavy wet snow, and hail can leave a tree with more than a few broken twigs. When damage includes a split trunk, an uprooted or partially uprooted root system, a major broken section of the canopy, or a tree that has fallen or partially fallen onto the ground, removal is often the most appropriate response. Storm damage tree removal focuses specifically on taking down trees where the extent of the damage, or the tree’s overall structural condition, makes retaining the tree impractical or unsafe. As part of our full range of tree services in Westminster, we evaluate each severely storm-damaged tree individually before recommending removal.
Not every damaged tree needs to come down. Storm damage tree removal is reserved for trees where the damage is severe enough that retaining the tree isn’t a realistic option. Common conditions that can lead to a removal recommendation include a fallen tree or a tree that has partially fallen and is resting against another tree or structure, an uprooted or partially uprooted tree with a compromised root plate, a split trunk or major structural failure at the main stem, and broken or failed sections of the tree that have taken most of the canopy with them.
A leaning storm-damaged tree can be harder to judge from the ground. Some trees have a long-standing, stable lean, while others develop a sudden new lean after a storm, sometimes paired with soil heaving or cracking near the base. That combination is one of the clearer signs that a tree may need tree inspection before any decision is made about removal versus retention.
Before recommending removal, we look closely at what’s actually happened to the tree. A tree that has fallen fully or partially, one that’s uprooted or partially uprooted, or one with a split trunk isn’t automatically a removal candidate just because it looks dramatic. The assessment considers how much of the root system, trunk, and canopy structure remains sound, whether the tree could be stabilized, and whether the location, condition, and extent of damage make removal the more appropriate path forward.
A split trunk is one of the more serious forms of storm damage, since the trunk itself is the structural core of the tree. Depending on how much of the trunk has separated and how much sound wood remains, a split trunk can mean the tree has lost the structural integrity needed to stay standing safely. We don’t recommend approaching, climbing, or cutting into a tree with a split trunk or other major structural failure on your own; these are unpredictable and are addressed by evaluating the whole tree before any cutting begins.
An uprooted tree has come completely out of the ground, while a partially uprooted tree has a root plate that’s lifted or cracked but not fully separated. Both situations affect the tree’s stability in different ways. A fully uprooted tree has typically already fallen or is resting against something else, while a partially uprooted tree can still be standing, sometimes at a pronounced lean, with a root system that may no longer be able to support it. A tree risk assessment can help clarify what the root plate and remaining structure suggest about the tree’s condition before a removal decision is made.
Not every storm-damaged tree ends up being removed. Depending on the tree and the extent of the damage, options may include continued monitoring, pruning to remove a damaged section, further assessment of a questionable lean or root issue, supplemental structural support such as tree cabling and bracing for select trees that may potentially be retained, or removal where the damage is severe enough to warrant it. For broader post-storm evaluation, branch work, and cleanup that doesn’t necessarily involve taking a tree down, our storm damage tree service covers that wider range of outcomes. See when a storm-damaged tree needs to be removed for a closer look at that decision. This page focuses specifically on situations where removal has been determined to be the appropriate option.
Storm-damaged tree removal typically includes clearing the resulting debris, whether that’s the remains of a fallen tree, broken or failed sections that came down with it, or wood left over from a split trunk or uprooted root system. The amount of debris and cleanup involved depends heavily on how the tree came down and what it landed on or near.
Factors affecting the scope of removal include the tree’s size and species, how it fell or failed (whole-tree fall, partial fall, split trunk, or uprooting), how much of the root system and surrounding soil is disturbed, and site accessibility. A tree that has fallen into an open yard is generally more straightforward to remove than one that’s come to rest against a structure, fence, or another tree, or one located near overhead utility lines. Access areas, such as tight side yards or limited equipment access, can also affect how a removal is approached.
Storm Damage Tree Removal vs. Tree Removal: Storm damage tree removal specifically addresses trees that have failed or been severely compromised by a weather event. Our broader tree removal service covers removals for other reasons, such as disease, structural decline unrelated to storms, or trees that are no longer wanted in a landscape.
Storm Damage Tree Removal vs. Emergency Tree Service: When a storm-damaged tree is blocking access to your home, resting on a structure or vehicle, or creating another immediate safety concern, our emergency tree service is the more appropriate option. Not every fallen or severely damaged tree is an emergency, but some situations call for a more urgent response than standard scheduling.
If a tree or branch on your property is touching or near a power line, stay clear of the tree, branch, and any nearby wires, and contact the electric utility rather than approaching it yourself. Questions about who is responsible for a storm-damaged tree often come up when a neighboring property is involved.
Colorado’s Front Range, including Westminster, sees a mix of high wind events, heavy wet spring snow, and hail, conditions that can leave landscape trees with fallen limbs, split trunks, or uprooted root systems. According to Colorado State University Extension’s resource on tree growth and decay, the most common type of significant storm damage in Colorado landscapes results from failures at the branch union, particularly with codominant trunks, which is one reason a full evaluation matters even when a tree looks stable from a distance.
During active severe weather, it’s worth checking current conditions before assessing damage on your own through the National Weather Service Denver/Boulder forecast office, which provides local watches and warnings for the Westminster area. If a storm has left a tree fallen, partially fallen, uprooted, or otherwise severely damaged on your property, an on-site evaluation is the most reliable way to determine whether removal is the appropriate next step.
If a storm has left a tree fallen, partially fallen, uprooted, or otherwise severely damaged on your property, contact us today to describe the situation and check current availability. Call 720-727-6652 or email info@treeservicewestminsterco.com and our team will discuss next steps for your property in Westminster, CO and the surrounding area.
Removal is typically recommended when damage is severe: a split trunk, a tree that has fallen or partially fallen, an uprooted or partially uprooted root system, or major structural failure affecting most of the canopy. An on-site evaluation looks at how much sound structure remains and whether the tree can realistically be retained.
Yes, in many cases. Whether a tree can be retained depends on the extent of the damage and its overall condition. Options such as pruning, continued monitoring, further assessment, or supplemental support like tree cabling and bracing may be appropriate for less severely damaged trees. Removal is reserved for trees where the damage is severe enough to warrant it.
Keep people, pets, and vehicles away from the fallen tree and any debris, especially near sections that could still shift. Avoid attempting to cut, move, or climb on a fallen or partially fallen tree yourself. Once the area is clear, contact our team to describe the situation so we can evaluate it and discuss removal.
Stay clear of the tree, branch, wire, and any nearby conductive objects, and don’t attempt to move or cut anything near the line. Contact the electric utility to report the situation. Once the utility has addressed the power line concern, our team can evaluate the tree for removal.
Not always. Storm damage tree removal addresses trees that are severely damaged and need to come down. If a damaged tree is blocking access to your home, resting on a structure or vehicle, or creating an immediate safety concern, that situation calls for emergency tree service instead of standard scheduling.
An evaluation looks at what has actually broken, split, fallen, or uprooted, how much of the tree’s structure and root system remain sound, and what the tree could affect if the condition changed further. Based on that assessment, we discuss whether removal is the appropriate option or whether the tree may be retained with pruning, monitoring, or supplemental support.
Tree Service Westminster CO is a locally owned company providing reliable tree care for homes and businesses in Westminster, Colorado. Our ISA-certified arborists offer tree trimming, stump grinding, planting, disease management, and other professional services. We are fully licensed and insured, with a focus on safe, effective, and environmentally responsible tree care.
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