Storm Damage Tree Removal in Mercer Island, WA
When a tree comes down during a storm, the first question is whether anyone can safely go near it.
A fallen tree may be resting on a roof, blocking the only driveway, leaving broken limbs overhead, or tangled with utility lines. MTS Tree and Landscape provides 24/7 emergency tree service for storm-damaged and fallen trees on Mercer Island.
Tree down now? Call (425) 369-8733.
We've served the Eastside and Seattle since 2005, handling tree removal on properties where access, structures, slopes, and large mature trees can make the work more complicated.
MTS Tree and Landscape is licensed, bonded, and insured in Washington under contractor registration SOUNDPL826DZ and UBI 603554491. Our team includes Alexander Lasko, ISA Certified Arborist PN-7704A (TRAQ).
A Tree Just Fell. What Should You Do First?
Keep people away from the damaged area and deal with any utility hazard before approaching the tree.
- Move people and pets away from the tree, damaged structure, and hanging limbs.
- Look for downed utility lines from a safe distance. Do not approach a wire to determine whether it's energized.
- Stay at least 35 feet from any downed utility wire. PSE says to assume the line is energized and call 911 or the utility. See PSE's downed power line safety guidance.
- Leave immediately if you smell or suspect natural gas. PSE says to evacuate first, then call 911 or PSE from a safe location. See PSE's natural gas emergency guidance.
- Photograph visible damage only when it's safe to do so.
- Contact your insurer if the tree damaged covered property.
- Call MTS Tree and Landscape once the site is safe for tree work.
Mercer Island saw how quickly tree and utility hazards can overlap during the November 19, 2024 windstorm, when the City reported widespread outages, downed trees, utility lines, poles, debris, and road closures across the island.
Emergency Tree Removal and Make-Safe Work
Storm tree work depends on what failed and where the tree ended up.
A tree lying in an open yard can be a straightforward ground operation. A split conifer leaning into a house may need to be dismantled in controlled sections. A tree resting on a roof can require rigging or crane assistance so sections are lifted or lowered rather than dropped across the structure.
Emergency work may involve:
- Fallen-tree removal
- Broken or hanging limb removal
- Split or partially failed trees
- Trees resting on homes, garages, fences, or vehicles
- Clearing blocked private access
- Climbing and controlled rigging
- Crane assistance where the site and tree require it
MTS Tree and Landscape currently advertises emergency tree removal, driveway clearance, debris hauling, and crane-capable work on Mercer Island.
In some emergencies, the first job is simply to remove the immediate hazard. Stump work or more extensive property cleanup can be handled afterward.
What If the Tree Is Touching a Power Line?
Do not approach it.
A tree touching a utility line should be treated as an electrical hazard until the utility or emergency personnel say otherwise. PSE says to stay at least 35 feet away and call 911 or 1-888-225-5773.
Tree work should begin only after the electrical hazard has been addressed and the site is safe for the crew to enter.
Do not try to move the tree or branch with a vehicle, rope, pole, or other tool.
Can You Remove an Emergency Tree Before Getting a Mercer Island Permit?
Yes, but the emergency exception applies specifically when a private tree presents an immediate danger to life or property.
Mercer Island allows qualifying emergency removal before the normal tree permit is issued. Land Use and Planning should be informed, and the permit application must then be submitted within 14 days after removal with evidence documenting the imminent threat.
The City says a qualified-arborist report is preferred. At minimum, photographs should clearly show the condition that created the emergency.
Review the City's Mercer Island emergency tree removal requirements before relying on the emergency exception.
Storm damage alone does not automatically qualify a tree for removal without prior approval. A tree that can safely remain while its condition is assessed may still need to follow the normal permit process.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Fallen-Tree Removal?
Coverage depends on the policy, the cause of the loss, and what the tree damaged.
The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner says homeowners insurance usually does not cover ordinary tree removal and cleanup unless the tree fell on covered property such as a home, garage, or vehicle. See Washington's guidance on fallen trees and homeowners insurance.
If property was damaged, keep what you can safely document:
- Photos of the overall scene and visible damage
- The tree-service estimate
- The final itemized invoice
- Receipts for related emergency work
- Insurer or adjuster correspondence
Do not enter an unstable area merely to get better photographs.
MTS Tree and Landscape can document the tree work included in its estimate and invoice. Your insurer determines whether the loss and removal costs are covered.
What If the Tree Fell but Did Not Damage Anything?
Coverage is generally less likely when a tree simply falls in the yard without damaging covered property.
Washington's insurance guidance specifically says ordinary tree removal and cleanup usually is not covered unless covered property was damaged.
Policies differ, so check with your insurer before assuming either coverage or exclusion.
What Does Storm Cleanup Include?
Storm cleanup can mean different things depending on the job.
The immediate work may be getting a tree off a structure or reopening access. The remaining scope can include branches, logs, chips, debris hauling, and stump work.
MTS currently advertises debris hauling and storm cleanup on Mercer Island, but the estimate should still explain exactly what happens to the material from your job.
Before approving the work, confirm:
- Whether branches will be chipped
- Whether logs will be hauled or left
- What happens to the chips
- How much final debris cleanup is included
- Whether the stump remains
Stump grinding should be treated separately unless it is specifically included in the quote. For that follow-up work, see MTS Tree and Landscape's stump grinding services.
How Much Does Emergency Tree Removal Cost?
Emergency tree removal on Mercer Island commonly costs about $1,500 to $8,000 for a substantial single-tree emergency. Smaller limb or tree clearance can start around $500, while large trees on homes, crane-assisted removals, utility involvement, or multi-tree storm damage can cost $5,000 to $12,000 or more.
A practical planning range is:
| Emergency situation | Typical planning range |
|---|---|
| Small tree or large limb with straightforward access | $500-$1,500 |
| Medium tree on a fence, driveway, or outbuilding | $1,500-$3,500 |
| Large tree on or immediately beside a house | $3,000-$8,000 |
| Large tree requiring crane or utility coordination | $5,000-$12,000+ |
| Multiple failed trees after a major storm | $5,000-$20,000+ |
Emergency work generally costs more than the same removal performed as scheduled work. Our current regional pricing reflects an approximately 20% to 50% emergency premium because the job can require immediate crew mobilization, after-hours work, damaged-tree rigging, and equipment deployment with little advance planning.
The largest cost increases usually come from:
- A large tree resting on a home, garage, or other structure
- Split, uprooted, or partially suspended trees with stored tension
- Crane-assisted removal
- Electrical-line involvement or utility coordination
- Steep or limited-access Mercer Island properties
- Multiple failed trees requiring a full-day or multi-day response
- Extensive wood, debris, and cleanup work
A fallen tree lying completely on the ground in an open yard may stay near the lower end of the range. A large conifer suspended over a roof and requiring controlled dismantling or crane support can move well beyond it.
For planned or non-emergency work, see our tree removal services. For an active storm emergency, call (425) 369-8733.
For work that can be safely scheduled, you can request a free quote.
What About Trees That Are Still Standing After the Storm?
The tree that fell may not be the only one that changed.
After a significant wind event, look from a safe distance for new signs such as:
- A sudden or increased lean
- Soil lifting or cracking around the root plate
- Newly exposed roots
- Fresh trunk or major branch-union cracks
- Broken or hanging limbs
- A broken leader or top
- Major one-sided canopy loss
- New damage above a home, driveway, walkway, or other occupied area
These signs do not automatically mean the tree needs removal.
A broken limb may only require pruning. Significant root-plate movement beside a home presents a different problem.
The purpose of an assessment is to determine what changed and whether the tree can reasonably remain.
Can a Partially Uprooted or Leaning Tree Be Saved?
Sometimes.
The answer depends on the species, size, amount of root damage, trunk condition, degree of movement, soil, surrounding targets, and whether the tree can realistically be stabilized.
Do not try to pull a large leaning or partially uprooted tree upright yourself. Roots and trunk wood may be under substantial tension and can move unexpectedly.
Why Call MTS Tree and Landscape After Storm Damage?
Emergency tree work can combine unstable wood, structures, limited access, rigging, heavy equipment, and utility coordination in one job.
MTS Tree and Landscape has served the Eastside and Seattle since 2005, works across King County, and advertises 24/7 emergency tree removal on Mercer Island.
Our current site publishes WA contractor registration SOUNDPL826DZ, UBI 603554491, and Alexander Lasko's ISA Certified Arborist and TRAQ credentials.
Homeowners can independently verify a Washington contractor through Labor and Industries, including registration, bond and insurance information, workers' compensation status, and available citation records.
For pruning, landscaping, stump work, and other non-emergency needs, see MTS Tree and Landscape's tree and landscape services on Mercer Island.
Call for Storm Damage Tree Removal on Mercer Island
A tree across an open lawn, a tree blocking the only driveway, and a tree resting on a roof do not create the same problem.
If power lines or a suspected gas leak are involved, deal with those hazards first.
Once the site is safe for tree work, MTS Tree and Landscape provides 24/7 emergency tree removal and storm cleanup on Mercer Island.
For an active emergency, call (425) 369-8733. For non-immediate work, request a free quote.
Mercer Island Storm Damage Tree Removal FAQs
How fast can MTS Tree and Landscape respond to a storm emergency?
MTS Tree and Landscape provides 24/7 emergency tree response on Mercer Island, but we do not publish a guaranteed arrival time. We prioritize active hazards such as trees on structures, blocked access, and dangerous hanging sections. Call (425) 369-8733 for the current response status.
How much does emergency tree removal cost on Mercer Island?
Emergency tree removal on Mercer Island commonly costs about $1,500 to $8,000 for a substantial single-tree emergency. Smaller limb or tree clearance may start around $500, while large trees on homes, crane-assisted removals, utility involvement, or multi-tree storm damage can reach $5,000 to $12,000 or more.
Is stump grinding included with emergency tree removal?
No, stump grinding is not included with emergency tree removal unless it is specifically listed in the estimate. Emergency work focuses first on removing the failed tree and immediate hazard. If you want the stump ground afterward, ask for that service to be added to the scope.
Will insurance cover tree removal if the tree did not damage anything?
Homeowners insurance usually does not cover tree removal when the fallen tree did not damage covered property. Washington's Insurance Commissioner says removal and cleanup are generally covered when a tree damages insured property such as a home, garage, or vehicle. Your policy's limits and exclusions still control the claim.
Can a storm-damaged tree come down before a Mercer Island permit is issued?
Yes, a storm-damaged tree can be removed before a Mercer Island permit is issued when it presents an immediate danger to life or property. The City must be notified, and a permit application must then be submitted within 14 days with documentation showing the imminent threat.
Service Areas:
King County, Sammamish, Issaquah, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Clyde Hill, Medina, Maple Valley, Newcastle, Woodinville, Redmond, Renton, Bothell, Seattle, Auburn, Tacoma, Federal Way, Covington, North Bend, Duvall