Emergency and Storm Damage Tree Removal in Abilene
Tree on the house, the car or a line? Stay clear, photograph the damage, report downed lines to AEP Texas, then get the tree removed.
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Referral website, not the contractor. How it works
Emergency tree removal in Abilene starts with safety: stay clear, report line contact to AEP Texas, photograph the damage, then remove the tree.
Abilene Tree Pros is a referral website, not a tree service company. We send your request to one independent local tree service company. You never pay us; companies we refer you to may pay us for referrals. When it's safe to start, send a request with the form.
If a line is down or a tree is on a line, stay away and keep others back. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, and report the line to AEP Texas at 877-373-4858.
What the July 2026 windstorm showed
On Sunday, July 5, 2026, 80 mph winds swept through the Abilene area. AEP Texas said it restored power to about 26,000 customers, brought in crews from Corpus Christi, Laredo, Childress, Vernon and San Angelo, and replaced more than 60 poles. Its Abilene distribution system manager called it one of the largest events in his 34-year career and said numerous line sections were broken and downed "due to trees blowing into the lines." He said tree trimming and vegetation management were an added challenge throughout the restoration.
The lesson for homeowners: the trees that fail in a big wind are often the ones that already had a problem. Dead limbs, cracked unions, a lean that got worse. Have those looked at before the next storm, not after.
What to do first after a tree falls
- Get people out of danger. If a tree is on the house and you hear cracking or see the roof sagging, leave that part of the house.
- Look for lines before you look at anything else. Assume any wire touching the tree is live. AEP Texas says never go near or touch a power line, and to report branches on lines immediately at 877-373-4858.
- Photograph everything before anything is moved. The Texas Department of Insurance says to take photos of the damage before you move the tree, make repairs or take other steps.
- Prevent more damage. TDI says to make temporary repairs, like a tarp over a hole, and save the receipts.
- Call your insurance agent or company as soon as possible.
- Get the tree removed by a company equipped for it. A tree resting on a roof is under tension and can shift when it's cut.
Who handles which tree
| Situation | Who to call first |
|---|---|
| Tree or limb on a pole-to-pole power line | AEP Texas, 877-373-4858 |
| Tree on the service line to your house | AEP Texas first, for safety. AEP says trees threatening the service drop are the owner's responsibility, so a tree company does the work once AEP has made it safe |
| Tree on your house, garage, fence or car | Your insurance agent, then a tree company |
| Tree down in the yard, not on anything | A tree company, or the city's brush pickup for small limbs |
| Neighbor's tree on your property | Your insurance agent (see below) |
Insurance and the neighbor's tree
The Texas Department of Insurance answers the common questions directly:
- A tree fell on my house. Many policies pay for damage from falling objects, like trees. Call your agent or company.
- A tree fell in my yard. Many policies provide some coverage to remove trees or limbs that fell in a storm and damaged the house or blocked the driveway. Trees and limbs that fall in the yard and hit nothing usually aren't covered.
- My neighbor's tree fell on my house. The neighbor's policy probably won't pay unless the neighbor was at fault, because a neighbor isn't responsible for acts of nature. File under your own policy.
- A tree fell on my car. Your auto policy pays if you have comprehensive coverage.
TDI's help line is 800-252-3439. On the property-line side, the Texas State Law Library says the location of the trunk generally decides who owns a tree, though there are exceptions.
What storm damage removal costs
HomeAdvisor's June 2026 guide gives these national figures:
| Job | Typical national range (HomeAdvisor) |
|---|---|
| Tree already on the ground, not on anything | About $75 to $150, plus hauling |
| Emergency removal (tree on a structure) | Can run as high as $5,000 |
| Large tree near power lines | Can top $10,000 |
| Debris hauling, if not included | About $70 |
HomeAdvisor notes that rates spike after big storms, when crews are in high demand. Your insurer may cover part of it, so check before you pay. Pricing and scheduling come from the company. The tree removal cost guide has more detail.
Avoiding trouble after a storm
- Get a written price before work starts, including cleanup and hauling.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance in the company's name. A tree being removed from a roof can do more damage if it's handled badly.
- Don't pay in full up front. Pay when the work is done and you've seen it.
- Watch the oaks. The Texas A&M Forest Service says storm wounds and fresh cleanup cuts on oaks can let oak wilt in, and that any new wound created during cleanup must be painted immediately.
Clearing the debris
The City of Abilene's curbside brush pickup runs once per residence in odd-numbered months, with limbs cut to 4 feet and set out no more than 48 hours before pickup. The city says hired tree trimmers are contractors and residential curbs can't be used for their disposal, so make sure hauling is part of a hired cleanup. The Abilene Brush Center at 2149 Sandy St. takes limbs 6 to 8 feet long and up to 18 inches thick, but not larger trunks or root systems. Details are in the Abilene brush disposal guide.
Related services
A storm-damaged tree that's still standing may need tree removal or careful tree trimming to take off broken limbs. For the stump afterward, see stump grinding. More answers are in the tree service FAQ.
The form takes storm damage requests from Abilene and nearby towns, including Clyde and Tye.
Common questions
In Texas, who is responsible if my neighbor's tree falls on my house?
Usually your own insurance. The Texas Department of Insurance says your neighbor's homeowners policy probably won't pay unless your neighbor was at fault, because a neighbor isn't responsible for acts of nature. You can file a claim under your own policy. TDI's help line is 800-252-3439.
Will homeowners insurance pay to remove a fallen tree?
Sometimes. TDI says many policies provide some coverage to remove trees or limbs that fell in a storm and damaged your house or blocked your driveway, but trees and limbs that fall in your yard usually aren't covered. Call your agent or company to ask.
Should I wait for the insurance adjuster before removing the tree?
Take photos first. TDI says to photograph the damage before you move the tree, make repairs or take other steps to prevent more damage, then make temporary repairs and contact your agent or company as soon as possible. Save your receipts.
How much does emergency tree removal cost?
HomeAdvisor says emergency removal can run as high as $5,000, and that rates spike after big storms when crews are in high demand. A tree that's already on the ground and not on anything is simpler: about $75 to $150 plus hauling.
A tree is lying on the line to my house. Can I pull it off?
No. Stay away from it and keep others back. AEP Texas says to report branches that have fallen on power lines immediately by calling 877-373-4858, and never go near or touch a power line.
Sources (8)
- AEP Texas: crews restore power to 26,000 customers after July 5, 2026 Abilene windstorm
- AEP Texas: report a tree problem (safety hazards and service drops)
- Texas Department of Insurance: Does insurance cover fallen tree branches? (January 2026)
- HomeAdvisor: tree removal cost (updated June 19, 2026)
- Texas A&M Forest Service: Prevent the spread of oak wilt in Texas this spring (2021)
- City of Abilene: Solid Waste & Recycling (brush and bulky pickup)
- City of Abilene: Abilene Brush Center
- Texas State Law Library: Neighbor law, trees
Last updated 2026-10-23