Sonoma-Marin Tree Service routes storm calls from Sonoma and Marin homeowners to local tree contractors who are set up for fallen trees, split trunks, and hanging limbs, and who can get a tree off a roof or driveway safely.
Why trees fall here in winter
North Bay storms tend to arrive in series. Days of rain soak the ground, roots lose their grip, and then a windy front pushes over trees that would have stood in dry soil. Shallow-rooted eucalyptus and pines, oaks weakened by decay or Sudden Oak Death, and trees on cut slopes are common casualties. The effects reach well beyond individual yards. In the February 2024 atmospheric river, PG&E said downed trees caused most of the Bay Area's power outages, and a December 2024 storm cut power to about 30,000 customers in Marin.
What to do first
- Get people out of harm's way. If a tree hit the house, leave the affected rooms. If anyone is hurt, call 911.
- Assume any wire is live. Stay far from downed lines and anything touching them, and report them to PG&E.
- Do not climb onto the roof or cut under tension. Trunks and limbs pinned under load can spring back with enormous force.
- Take photos of the tree, the damage, and the stump or root plate before anything is moved.
- Call your insurer and ask what they need before cleanup.
- Call a tree contractor. Calls and requests are returned during business hours. If a tree is on the house, blocking the driveway, or leaning, say so in your message so the contractor knows it is urgent.
How crews handle storm damage
A tree resting on a house is loaded in ways that are hard to read. Crews typically secure the tree with rigging first, then remove it in sections from the top or from the free end, lifting pieces off the structure rather than letting them drop. Large trees on homes often need a crane. Once the weight is off, the crew can cover openings in the roof and clear the rest. Split or partly uprooted trees that are still standing can be the most dangerous, because they may fail suddenly.
After the immediate danger is handled, ask the contractor to look at nearby trees too. Storms that bring one tree down often leave cracked limbs or new leans elsewhere. An arborist assessment can sort out which trees need work.
Trees that are leaning but have not fallen
A tree that has started to lean after a storm, especially with heaved or cracked soil on one side, may be failing at the roots. Keep people and cars out of the fall zone and have it looked at quickly. Some can be reduced with pruning to lower the load; others need removal.
Insurance and paperwork
Coverage depends on the policy. As a general rule, insurers are more likely to help when a tree damages a covered structure, and less likely when it falls in open yard. Keep photos, ask for an itemized invoice that separates removal from the house from general cleanup, and keep the contractor's license number. In California, tree work is licensed by the Contractors State License Board. You can check any license at cslb.ca.gov.
Reducing the risk before next winter
The best time to deal with a storm tree is before the storm. Have large trees near the house looked at in late summer or fall, remove dead limbs, thin heavy canopies, and keep limbs off the roof. Dead and declining oaks are worth addressing early.
Storm patterns, tree rules, and fire agencies differ by town. See our Guerneville, Santa Rosa, Novato, Mill Valley, and Fairfax pages.
Tree down or hanging over the house? Call (707) 634-8593 or request an estimate.
Tree services in Sonoma County & Marin County
- Tree Removal → Removal of dead, leaning, diseased, and unwanted trees, including large oaks, redwoods, and eucalyptus on tight or sloped lots.
- Storm-Damaged & Fallen Tree Removal → Fallen trees, split trunks, hanging limbs, and trees on roofs, fences, or driveways after North Bay winter storms.
- Tree Trimming & Pruning → Crown thinning, deadwood removal, structural pruning, and clearance pruning for oaks, redwoods, and ornamentals.
- Stump Grinding & Removal → Grinding stumps and surface roots below grade so you can replant, lay lawn, or build, plus full stump removal where needed.
- Arborist Reports & Tree Permits → Arborist reports for city and county tree removal permits, protected and heritage trees, and construction near trees.
- Defensible Space & Fire Clearance → Limbing up, juniper and brush removal, dead tree removal, and chipping for Marin evaluations and Sonoma inspections.
- Oak Tree Removal & Sudden Oak Death → Dead and dying coast live oaks, tanoaks, and valley oaks, including Sudden Oak Death losses and protected-oak permits.
- Eucalyptus Tree Removal → Taking down tall, brittle blue gum eucalyptus near homes, roads, and fire zones, and dealing with regrowth.
- Redwood Tree Removal & Trimming → Redwoods crowding foundations, driveways, and sewer lines, thinning redwood groves, and removals where a permit allows.
- Crane Tree Removal → Crane-assisted removals for big trees over houses, on steep hillside lots, and anywhere there is no room to drop or rig.
- Dead & Hazardous Tree Removal → Dead, dying, cracked, and leaning trees that threaten the house, the street, or the neighbors, with the paperwork hazard removals need.
- Roof Clearance & Limb Removal → Lifting limbs off roofs, gutters, chimneys, and decks for fire clearance, insurance letters, and plain peace of mind.
- Tree Risk Assessment → A qualified look at a leaning, cracked, or hollow tree before a storm decides for you, with a written recommendation.
- Lot Clearing & Brush Chipping → Clearing overgrown lots, thinning small trees and brush, and chipping or hauling the debris for building, fire safety, or sale.
- Fruit Tree & Olive Pruning → Dormant and summer pruning for backyard orchards, old olives, and heritage fruit trees on wine country properties.
- Palm Tree Trimming & Removal → Skinning and trimming tall palms, removing dead fronds and seed pods, and taking out palms that have outgrown the lot.
- Tree Cabling & Bracing → Support systems for split trunks and heavy limbs on trees worth keeping, installed and inspected to industry standards.
- Insurance-Required Tree Removal → Clearing trees and limbs an insurer has flagged before a policy renewal or non-renewal deadline, with documentation.
- View Pruning → Opening up bay, hill, and valley views with selective thinning and reduction that keeps the tree healthy and the neighbors on side.
Frequently asked questions
A tree is touching a power line. What should I do?
Stay well away from the tree and the line, keep others and pets away, and call PG&E and 911. Do not try to cut or move anything yourself, and do not let a tree crew work near an energized line. Utilities handle lines and trees in contact with them; a private crew can clear the rest once the line is safe.
Can you come right now?
Call or send a request with photos if you can. Requests are returned during business hours, and after a big storm, crews generally prioritize trees on homes, trees blocking access, and trees still threatening to fall. If anyone is hurt, or there is a power line or gas smell involved, call 911 first.
Will homeowners insurance pay for a fallen tree?
It depends on your policy and what the tree hit. Policies often cover removal when a tree damages a covered structure, and coverage is usually more limited when a tree falls without hitting anything. Call your insurer before major cleanup if you can, take photos, and ask the contractor for an itemized invoice.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree that fell in a storm?
Fallen and imminently dangerous trees are usually treated differently from planned removals, and several local ordinances, including Mill Valley and Petaluma, have emergency provisions. Requirements vary, so take photos before cleanup and check with your city or county afterward.
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