Don’t Risk It: Why You Should Leave Storm Damage Cleanup to Professionals

In New Jersey, storm season comes twice a year. Summer brings torrential rain, flash flooding, storm surge, and high winds, while winter piles on ice, snow, and even more wind. Each season brings multiple rounds of severe weather that can snap limbs, uproot trees, block roads, knock out power, and leave your yard a dangerous mess.

When that happens, don’t risk handling it yourself. Professional storm damage cleanup protects your safety, your property, and your peace of mind. Here’s why Alpine Tree should be your first call when storms hit hard in Morris, Essex, Union, or Somerset counties.

Key Takeaways

• Storm-damaged trees pose serious risks, including heavy branches, slippery conditions, and potential electrocution from power lines, making DIY cleanup extremely dangerous.
• Tree service companies have specialized equipment, such as cranes, that can complete tasks in hours that would take homeowners weeks of dangerous manual labor.
• Professional companies provide proper documentation for insurance claims and ensure all work complies with New Jersey’s strict tree laws and permit requirements.
• Emergency tree services respond quickly when trees fall on homes or block driveways, preventing extended property damage and access issues.
• Hiring insured professionals protects you from liability for accidents or additional property damage that could occur during DIY storm cleanup attempts.

6 Benefits of Professional Storm Damage Cleanup in New Jersey

When you have a large branch or an entire tree on your property after a New Jersey storm (like the unexpected storm we saw in March 2025), you need professional help for cleanup. Some of the benefits of hiring a professional for storm damage cleanup rather than doing it yourself include:

1. Protect Your Safety with Trained Professionals

Even in the best of times, working with trees is incredibly dangerous. In June 2025, a landscaper ended up hospitalized after falling from a tree while trimming it. Working with downed or dangerous trees multiplies this danger.

There are several hazards of working with a downed tree for a homeowner, including:

• Heavy Branches: Tree branches are much heavier than they may appear from the ground. If you don’t have the right equipment, you could cause extensive damage and injuries when they fall.
• Unstable Trunk: If a tree has fallen on a structure, it can shift unexpectedly as you work with it. An unexpected shift from the tree during the removal process can further damage the structure or cause a significant injury to the person working on it. Additionally, if the area experienced flooding, it could lead to an upright tree becoming unstable and prone to falling over while working on it.
• Slippery Conditions: Whether from the rain of a summer storm or the snow and ice of a winter storm, these conditions increase the risk of slips and falls or the chainsaw slipping during operation.
• Proximity to Power Lines: If a broken branch or fallen tree becomes entangled in power lines, it becomes incredibly dangerous to work with. You risk electrocution by getting near these trees, so always leave these jobs to professionals.

PRO TIP: Tree branches can weigh several hundred pounds on shade trees. Don’t risk your safety by working with these branches yourself.

2. Get Help Fast When Every Hour Counts

After a tree falls on your house or in your driveway, you can’t afford to wait for weeks to get help with it. And if you decide to try and remove it yourself, you’ll have to carve out time to take care of the problem while trying to deal with all of life’s other challenges.

A professional emergency tree service will respond as soon as possible to handle the work. Our team aims to respond within a few hours of when the incident occurs and work to get the tree or branches off of your home or vehicle promptly.

3. Save Time and Energy with the Right Equipment

Most homeowners don’t have the tools – or the time – for safe, efficient cleanup. Even with a chainsaw, removing storm-damaged trees is exhausting, dangerous work that can take days to finish.

A professional company will have access to equipment that makes the job much easier, including a tree removal crane, which dramatically increases efficiency and safety. With the right tools and expertise, a professional crew can safely finish in hours what might take you weeks of hard labor.

4. Receive Accurate Documentation for Insurance Claims

After a storm, it’s vital to document all the damage your property suffered for insurance purposes. Proper documentation simplifies the process and ensures there are fewer hiccups. A professional company can assist with documentation, as they’ve done it for hundreds of clients in similar situations.

5. Stay Compliant with New Jersey’s Strict Tree Laws

Working with a professional storm damage cleanup team will ensure the job complies with New Jersey’s tree laws. Our team adheres to all local regulations for tree work and permits.

“New Jersey has some of the strictest tree laws in the country, and there are plenty of regulations on what you can and can’t do with your trees. We always end up getting a lot of questions from homeowners who are confused about whether they need a permit or who they can hire. We always try to walk them through the process and explain how we’re following the law each time.” – Bill Switzler, ISA Certified Arborist at Alpine Tree

6. Get Peace of Mind with Full Insurance and Bonding

If you try to clean up storm damage yourself and an accident occurs, who will be responsible for the damage? You will. Alternatively, suppose you hire a professional company to handle the job. In that case, you can rest assured that they have proper insurance and bonding in the event of an accident or collateral damage.

Don’t risk paying out of pocket to fix any additional damage you cause during DIY cleanup; trust a professional.

7. Ensure Complete Cleanup & Debris Removal

Even if you managed to safely get the branches or trunk off of your property, you still have to deal with the disposal of the wood. Without a woodchipper and place to put the woodchips, you will have plenty of debris on your hands with nowhere to dispose of it.

When you hire a professional company, they will bring a woodchipper and truck to the site to dispose of the leftover wood and allow you to have a clean yard without breaking your back.

Frequently Asked Questions About Storm Damage Cleanup in New Jersey

When storm damage strikes your property, you need quick answers to important questions. Here’s what most homeowners ask us:

When is storm season in New Jersey?

New Jersey has two distinct storm seasons throughout the year. The summer hurricane season, which typically lasts from the start of June until the end of November. Then, winter storms take over, along with the risk of Nor’easters. This typically lasts from December until February.

How can I prevent storm damage in New Jersey?

While there’s no way to make a tree one hundred percent safe during a storm, there are several preventive measures you can take to increase safety. Some methods include:

• Prune before and after a storm to remove dead, damaged, or broken branches.
• Have an expert perform tree safety services, including cabling, bracing, and lightning protection.
• Aerate to avoid compacted soil after a storm or flood.

Can you save a tree that suffered storm damage?

You’ll usually want to try saving a storm-damaged tree, as trees add to your property value. In general, you can save a storm-damaged tree if at least 50 percent of the canopy is still intact. Always have an arborist look at the tree to determine the extent of the damage and whether it is feasible to leave the tree standing.

Tree Down in Your Yard? Let Alpine Tree Handle It Safely and Efficiently

Trying to clean up storm damage on your own might seem like a way to save money, but it can cost you far more in injuries, property damage, and wasted time. Storm cleanup is dangerous, demanding work that’s best left to trained professionals with the right equipment.

When safety speed, and care matter most, make your first call to Alpine Tree. We always follow all local regulations and have access to equipment that makes the job more efficient and safer. We can quickly remove any downed trees or branches from your property, allowing you to get back to business as usual.

Don’t wait, call us immediately at 973-964-7798 or request an estimate online for New Jersey storm damage cleanup.