Tree management

​​Hurricane Florence from the air

STORM  RESPONSE UPDATES

Landscape Management is responding to storms that affected the Charlotte area on February 6, 2020. Debris cleanup efforts may extend two to four weeks after the storm event, depending on weather and the volume of debris.

Are you ready for the next big storm? Build a disaster preparedness kit​. 

Storms are inevitable, and when they come, they often take trees and limbs with them. The Charlotte City Arborists encourages residents to always be tree-aware. Don't wait until a storm is forecast to worry about your trees. Proper inspection and care throughout the year is necessary to limit risks during major storms and give you peace of mind. 

How do I know my tree is vulnerable?
  • There are large dead branches in the tree.
  • There are mushrooms growing around the trunk or roots.
  • There are large cavities or holes in the trunk or main branches.
  • Leaves are dropping in the summertime.
I'm concerned about my tree. What should I do?
  • Seek a professional. Find a professional arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture.
  • Make sure you're covered. When hiring a tree company, always get copies of general liability and worker's compensation insurance from the provider. Tree maintenance is a dangerous profession. These policies ensure that you won't be held liable for injuries that take place on your property.
  • Do your homework. Consult the Better Business Bureau, Angie's List or other references before hiring a tree management company.
What should I do during a storm?
  • Shelter in a safe location and follow instructions by local law enforcement. Call 911 for any life-threatening situations or to report limbs or trees blocking roadways.
What should I do after a storm?
  • Safety first! Stay clear and look for dangerous hanging limbs, downed utility lines, broken branches and other failures before starting cleanup. Keep other people away from areas beneath and around damaged trees.
  • Don't panic. If a tree is damaged but isn't an immediate hazard, it's usually fine to wait a few weeks before making a final decision about removing the tree.
  • Watch out for scam artists. People claiming to be tree specialists can show up at your house after a storm. Do your homework, check references and make sure the business is legitimate.

Report a downed tree or other non-life-threatening issues by calling 311 or through the CLT+ app. In the case of an emergency, dial 911 immediately. If in doubt as to the severity of your situation, call 911.

​The City will clear debris from trees within city limits. If the tree that fell was in the street right of way, crews will remove and dispose of the entire tree. If the tree that fell originated from private property, the City will only clear debris from the right of way. They will put the debris back on the property where the tree was growing. The rest of the debris is the responsibility of the property owner. 

​Contact your insurance company and hire a tree company to remove the tree from your property and dispose of the debris that is on your property. The city will clean up the remaining debris located in the street rights of way. Contact City of Charlotte Risk Management to file a claim at claims@charlottenc.gov​ or 704-336-3301.

​No. Trees from private property are a civil matter. You must work with your neighbor to have the tree removed.​

​City staff will only respond to downed trees inside city limits. If you live outside city limits, you need to call the town you live in. If you live in unincorporated areas of Mecklenburg County, call the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) at 704-244-8260 or dial 911.

​No. Those trees are the responsibility of the homeowner.

​Storms generate largenymber of citizen requests with varying degrees of urgency and severity. Our first goal is to ensure all streets are open and free of debris. Please be patient, and a crew will be back to clean up the rest of the debris as quickly as possible.

Per federal guidelines, the City does not work around any type of utility linkes. Please contact Duke Energy, Spectrum or the appropriate phone company to report downed lines.

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