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Storm and tree damage in Philadelphia

Arborists and roofers for storm damage.

100 pros in Philadelphia

Philadelphia looks after its street trees, but your own trees are a different matter. Parks & Recreation prunes and removes hazardous street trees for free, yet it does not work on private property, vacant lots or alleyways, so a damaged tree in your yard is yours to arrange. Storms here can be severe: NOAA records an EF2 tornado in Torresdale on 08/04/2020, during Tropical Storm Isaias, that moved northwest through the Philadelphia Mills Mall area and left 6 injuries. When you hire for tree removal or storm clean-up, ask who will obtain the tree work permit if the work involves a street tree, because the contractor must get it from the Street Tree Management office. Get that answer in writing. If lines are down, treat them as live and report them to PECO before anyone starts. Also ask whether the contractor is registered with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office where that applies, and keep every receipt for your insurer.

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What to know in Philadelphia

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 Philadelphia

Will the city remove a hazardous tree on my property?

Not usually. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation prunes and removes hazardous street trees for free, but it does not prune or remove trees on private property, in vacant lots or in alleyways. For a tree on your own land, you hire an arborist or tree service yourself and pay for the work. City of Philadelphia, Parks & Recreation (source, opens in a new tab)

Who gets the permit for work on a street tree?

If you hire an arborist to maintain a street tree, the contractor must obtain a tree work permit from the Parks & Recreation Street Tree Management office. Before you agree to a quote, ask who will apply for it, and have that stated in the written contract. City of Philadelphia (source, opens in a new tab)

What should I do about power lines brought down by a fallen tree?

Treat every downed line as live and dangerous. Do not touch, go near or move it. Report it to the PECO Energy Emergency Hotline before any clean-up begins, and keep the crew and your household away until the situation has been dealt with. City of Philadelphia, Office of Emergency Management (source, opens in a new tab)

Does a tree contractor have to be registered in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Attorney General says contractors who perform home improvements above a yearly threshold must register with the Attorney General's Office. Ask any contractor whether they are registered, and ask for the registration details to be written on the quote or contract along with the scope of work. Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (source, opens in a new tab)

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