Dallas, TX · storm damage
Storm damage tree removal in Dallas
Dallas storm damage comes in three forms: spring hail and downbursts that strip and snap limbs, tornadoes like October 2019's that wreck whole blocks, and ice storms like February 2021 and 2023 that split cedar elms and live oaks. Clear trees on houses and lines first, then hangers and split trees. Oncor handles anything touching a line.
Dallas at a glance
- Peak season
- March–June storms; winter ice events
- Most damaged
- Bradford pears, silver maples, cedar elms, live oaks, pecans
- Lines
- Oncor: 888-313-4747; 911 for sparks
- Oaks
- Paint oak wounds from storm damage right away (oak wilt)
Reviewed and updated
Three kinds of Dallas storm damage
Spring hail
- Typical damage
- Stripped leaves, bark wounds, broken twigs
- Most affected
- Everything; young trees and thin bark
Downbursts
- Typical damage
- Snapped limbs and trunks, uprooting without a tornado
- Most affected
- Large crowns: pecans, silver maples
Tornadoes
- Typical damage
- Twisted, debarked, uprooted trees
- Most affected
- Whole blocks, as in North Dallas in October 2019
Ice storms
- Typical damage
- Split limbs and forks
- Most affected
- Cedar elms, live oaks, Bradford pears
What to clear first
- 1
Lines and gas
Report trees on lines to Oncor; call 911 for sparks or gas.
- 2
Trees on houses and exits
Structural loads and blocked doors come first.
- 3
Hangers over walkways and driveways
Broken limbs caught in the crown fall without warning.
- 4
Split and leaning trees
A split fork or new lean can finish failing in the next storm.
- 5
Debris on the ground
Last, and often cheapest if you stack brush for city pickup.
Hail-damaged trees usually recover
Hail can strip a tree bare in minutes and leave bark bruised, but healthy trees usually releaf within weeks. Don't remove a tree just because it looks shredded after hail; wait for new growth and prune only broken limbs. Trees with large bark wounds on the trunk should be watched for decay over the next year.
Oaks and storm wounds
Oak wilt is present in North Texas. Storm damage to live oaks and red oaks creates exactly the fresh wounds beetles use, especially February through June. Have broken oak limbs cut cleanly and every wound painted right away, even in the middle of storm cleanup. See tree trimming in Dallas.
Dallas storm cleanup: safe vs. not
Do this now
- Stay inside during the storm and away from windows on the side facing large trees.
- Afterward, look for hangers before walking under any tree.
- Check whether your city is running a curbside debris program before paying to haul brush.
- Keep all receipts. Tree work may count toward insurance or disaster-assistance claims.
Never do this
- Don't run a chainsaw on wood that's bent, pinned or twisted. It can spring violently when cut.
- Don't approach any tree near downed lines. Lines can be live even when the power is out.
- Don't hire a company that wants full payment before starting.
Brush pickup after a Dallas storm
Dallas Sanitation's brush and bulky trash collection takes cut limbs set out at the curb within size limits, and the city often adds storm-debris collection after major events. Stump wood and trunk rounds over the size limit aren't collected, so agree with the tree company on what they haul and what you set out. See stump grinding in Dallas for the pickup rules.
Removing a storm-damaged tree in Dallas
- 1
Triage
Walk the property from a safe distance and list trees on structures, trees on lines, blocked exits, and hangers over walkways.
- 2
Emergency removals
Trees on structures and blocking access are removed first, usually in sections with rigging.
- 3
Hazard pruning
Hangers and broken stubs are removed from trees that will stay, with clean cuts at a branch collar.
- 4
Re-evaluate
Once the urgency passes, have an arborist look at the damaged trees that are still standing and decide what to keep.
After the storm in Dallas
For trees on houses, cars or lines.
For broken limbs on trees worth keeping.
After removals.
Dallas storm damage questions
Will my tree recover from hail damage in Dallas?
Usually. Healthy trees releaf within weeks after hail strips them. Prune broken limbs, wait for new growth, and watch large trunk wounds for decay.
Who do I call if a storm puts a tree on a power line in Dallas?
Oncor at 888-313-4747, and 911 for sparks or fire. Stay away from the line.
What trees break most in Dallas storms?
Bradford pears and silver maples split at weak forks; pecans drop heavy limbs; cedar elms and live oaks break under ice.
Should I paint storm-damaged oak limbs?
Yes. Cut broken oak limbs cleanly and paint the wounds right away to keep oak wilt beetles off, especially February through June.
Can a tree that survived the 2019 tornado still be dangerous?
Possibly. Twisted or debarked trees can have hidden cracks and decline for years afterward. Have survivors near the house assessed.
Will Dallas pick up storm debris from my yard?
Brush set at the curb within size limits goes out with brush and bulky trash, and the city often adds storm collection after big events. Trunk rounds and stumps aren't taken.
How fast should a split tree be removed after a storm?
Quickly if it can reach a house, driveway or street. A split fork can finish failing in the next wind.
How much does storm cleanup cost in Dallas?
It depends on how many trees, what they're resting on, access and hauling. See the tree removal cost guide.
Who removes storm-damaged trees near me in Dallas?
Insured local tree services. You can call us to reach an independent provider in Dallas.
Sources for the local facts on this page
- Oncor: Outage FAQs (checked 2026-10-03)
- Texas A&M Forest Service: Oak wilt (checked 2026-10-03)
- Dallas City Code 18-4: Residential solid waste collection (checked 2026-10-03)
Storm damage cleanup in Dallas
Call to speak with a local tree-service provider about removal, trimming, stumps or storm damage. Describe the tree and what it's near, and they'll explain the next step.