24/7 Emergency Storm Damage Tree Service

When Storms Strike Duluth, We Respond

Duluth sits on the edge of Lake Superior, exposed to some of the most powerful storms in the Upper Midwest. The legendary November gales, summer thunderstorms with straight-line winds, early-season ice storms, and heavy wet snow events all take their toll on the city’s urban forest. When trees fail during these events — falling on homes, blocking roads, tangling with power lines — Northshore Tree Service provides the immediate, professional response Duluth residents count on.

Our 24/7 emergency storm damage service means exactly what it says. When you call (218) 555-0391 at any hour, you reach our team. We assess the urgency, dispatch our crew, and get to work securing your property and removing hazards. ISA Certified Arborist Erik Janssen directs emergency operations personally, ensuring every situation is handled safely and effectively.

Types of Storm Damage We Handle

Trees on Structures

A tree falling on your home is among the most stressful property emergencies a homeowner can face. The weight of a large tree can cause significant structural damage, breach the building envelope, and create immediate risks from water intrusion. Our crew removes the tree from the structure using careful rigging and sectional dismantling to prevent additional damage. We do not simply drag the tree off your roof — we methodically dismantle it, controlling every piece as it comes down.

After the tree is removed, we can apply temporary tarping to damaged roof sections to prevent rain and snow intrusion while you arrange permanent repairs. We work with roofing contractors across Duluth and can provide referrals for the follow-up work.

Downed and Hanging Limbs

Large branches that break free during storms may land on structures, vehicles, fences, or decks, or they may hang in the canopy by a thread — waiting to fall the next time the wind picks up. Hanging limbs are sometimes called “widow makers” for good reason. Our crew removes downed debris and safely detaches hanging branches that pose a continued risk.

Road and Driveway Blockages

Fallen trees across roads and driveways create immediate access problems. If you cannot get out of your property — or cannot get in — storm debris removal is urgent. We clear access routes so you, your family, and emergency vehicles can move freely.

Power Line Proximity

Trees in contact with or near downed power lines are extremely dangerous. Never approach a tree that is touching power lines or that has fallen near a downed line. Call Minnesota Power at 1-800-228-4966 first to de-energize the line, then call us for removal. Our crew is trained to work near utility infrastructure and coordinates with Minnesota Power when power line clearance is involved.

Uprooted Trees

High winds and saturated soil — common in Duluth’s spring thaw season — can uproot entire trees, pulling up massive root plates. An uprooted tree may lean against other trees, structures, or utility lines. These situations require careful assessment and controlled removal, often with crane assistance. Duluth’s hillside terrain makes uprooted trees especially hazardous because they can slide downhill.

Our Emergency Response Process

Triage and Dispatch

During major storm events, we receive many emergency calls simultaneously. We triage calls by severity: trees on occupied structures receive the highest priority, followed by power line hazards, road blockages, and trees on unoccupied structures. We are honest with callers about expected wait times during large-scale events and work through the queue as fast as conditions allow safe operations.

Arrival and Hazard Assessment

When our crew arrives, the first action is a thorough hazard assessment. We identify power lines, structural instability, additional trees at risk of failure, and safe working zones. Erik Janssen evaluates the specific failure mode — was this a root plate failure, a trunk snap, a major branch failure? — to determine the safest removal approach.

Controlled Removal

Emergency removals are executed with the same professionalism and safety standards as our planned tree removal service. In an emergency, the temptation is to rush. We do not. Every cut is planned. Rigging protects structures from further damage. Crew members maintain clear escape routes and communication. The fact that it is an emergency makes safety more important, not less.

Documentation for Insurance

Before we begin work, and throughout the process, we photograph the damage from multiple angles. We document the tree species, approximate size, the failure mode (root failure, trunk failure, branch failure), and all property damage. After the work is complete, we photograph the cleared site.

You receive a detailed invoice that describes the work performed, equipment used, and hours involved. Insurance adjusters consistently tell us that Northshore Tree Service provides better documentation than most companies, which helps your claim process move smoothly.

Complete Cleanup

Emergency work does not end when the tree is off the structure. We chip all branches, cut trunk wood into manageable sections, and clear the site of debris. If the stump needs grinding, we can schedule stump grinding as a follow-up once the emergency is resolved.

Why Duluth Faces Elevated Storm Risk

Lake Superior creates weather patterns that amplify storm intensity across the Duluth area. The famous lake effect generates intense precipitation, rapid temperature swings, and powerful winds that funnel up the hillside. The November gales that sank the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975 are the same type of storms that topple trees across Duluth neighborhoods every autumn.

Duluth’s steep terrain adds another risk factor. Trees growing on hillsides develop root systems adapted to the slope, but extreme soil saturation or erosion can overwhelm those adaptations. When a hillside tree fails, it often takes neighboring trees with it in a cascading failure that can devastate a property.

The city’s aging urban forest includes many trees planted 60 to 100 years ago that are now in structural decline. These mature trees provide tremendous canopy value, but they also carry increasing failure risk as they age, develop decay, and accumulate structural defects.

Prevent Storm Damage Before It Happens

The best emergency is the one that never occurs. Regular tree trimming and pruning reduces wind resistance, removes weak attachments, and eliminates dead branches that become projectiles in storms. For trees with structural weaknesses that you want to preserve, cabling and bracing provides supplemental support that prevents storm failure.

Our ISA Certified Arborist can evaluate your property’s trees for storm vulnerability and recommend preventive measures that significantly reduce your risk. A proactive tree care program costs far less than emergency removal and property repairs. For immediate guidance after a storm, use our post-storm tree safety checklist. If a tree has fallen on your home, read our storm damage insurance claim guide for step-by-step filing instructions.

Call for Emergency Service

For emergency storm damage response, call Northshore Tree Service at (218) 555-0391 any time, day or night. We serve Duluth, Hermantown, Proctor, Two Harbors, and communities along the North Shore. When your property is at risk, we are here.