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Storm and tree damage in Portland

Arborists and roofers for storm damage.

23 pros in Portland

Portland's tree and storm work is shaped by its weather history and by a city rule on trees. In January 1998, an ice storm left about 12,000 CMP customers in the Portland area without power, and Cumberland, Falmouth and Buxton were among the towns hit hardest. Winter weather has also shifted: the National Weather Service notes the 2010s were 8.3 inches snowier than normal. Inside the city, Portland's vegetation ordinance lets the City Arborist give verbal authorization to remove a tree that poses an immediate danger, without a written permit. Before you hire, ask whether the tree is on city land or your own, and whether a permit or the Arborist's approval applies. Ask for a written scope that covers removal, clean-up and hauling, and check that the crew can show insurance. If a tree has touched a power line, call the utility first. For roof damage, ask what your policy covers before work starts.

Sources: Portland Press Herald (source, opens in a new tab), National Weather Service Gray/Portland, ME (source, opens in a new tab)

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What to know in Portland

Before you hire

  1. For a tree near power lines, call your utility first: only a utility-certified arborist should work within 3 m of the wires.

    Source: bchydro.com (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Ask which permits the job needs and who will get them; your municipal building department can tell you before work starts.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Ask about liability insurance and workers’ compensation cover before anyone works on your roof or property.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

Questions about hiring in Portland

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Portland?

It depends on whose tree it is and where it stands. Portland has a vegetation ordinance, and the City Arborist handles hazardous trees. If the Arborist finds a tree poses an immediate danger to public safety, verbal authorization can replace a written permit. Contact the city before you book any removal. City of Portland, Maine (source, opens in a new tab)

What should a tree removal quote include?

Ask for a written quote that names the address, the trees involved, and the work: felling, limbing, stump grinding if wanted, clean-up and hauling. It should state the start date, who is responsible for damage, and proof of insurance. Get the same details from each company so you can compare them fairly.

Why do storms in the Portland area cause such long outages?

Heavy ice and wind bring down limbs onto lines. In January 1998, about 12,000 CMP customers in the Portland area lost power in an ice storm, with Cumberland, Falmouth and Buxton among the hardest hit. If a limb is on a line, stay away and call the utility. Portland Press Herald (source, opens in a new tab)

Will my insurance pay for storm damage to my property?

Not always. Maine's Superintendent of Insurance advises checking whether your policy has a water damage exclusion, which leaves flood-related damage uncovered. A coastal storm-surge claim for a deck and shed was denied under that exclusion. Read your policy and call your insurer before hiring repair work. Maine Bureau of Insurance (source, opens in a new tab)

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