In this guide: Protect people before trying to protect property · Contact the utility when lines are involved · Describe the incident from a safe location · Separate immediate work from later maintenance · Confirm arrival, access and cleanup
Protect people before trying to protect property
Keep people and pets out of the affected area. Do not climb, pull branches down or move a vehicle from beneath unstable wood. If there is an immediate threat to life, contact emergency services and follow their instructions.
Contact the utility when lines are involved
Branches near or touching electrical infrastructure require utility coordination. A general tree-service request is not authorization to begin line-clearance work. Stay away from possible energized trees, wires and nearby objects.
Describe the incident from a safe location
When calling, provide the address, what is damaged, whether access is blocked and whether lines or structures are involved. Safe photographs can help triage the request. Do not approach the tree to obtain a close-up or measure a branch.
Separate immediate work from later maintenance
The urgent scope may be limited to addressing a particular limb or access issue. Ask whether additional assessment, pruning or removal should be scheduled after the immediate condition is addressed. Avoid requesting broad cosmetic pruning during a hazard response.
Confirm arrival, access and cleanup
Volusia Bobcat & Tree Service accepts emergency-service inquiries. Call to confirm the current response plan; storm conditions and site hazards can affect access and scheduling. Ask what material will be removed and retain documentation if an insurance claim is involved.
Related services and planning guides
Emergency tree-service planning · Tree assessments
Helpful references
OSHA tree-care hazards · UF/IFAS: assessing storm-damaged trees