Michigan winters are no joke.

One minute it’s calm, the next a windstorm or heavy ice load sends a tree crashing across your driveway—or worse, onto your home. It’s a stressful situation, and if you’ve never dealt with a fallen tree in the middle of winter, you might not know what to do next.

At New Life Arboricultural Services, we respond to dozens of emergency tree calls every winter across Grand Rapids, Rockford, Ada, and beyond. If you find yourself facing a tree-related emergency this season, here’s your expert-backed guide on what to do—and what not to do.

Common Winter Tree Emergencies in Michigan

From freezing rain to blizzards, winter weather puts enormous stress on trees. Here are the most frequent emergencies we see this time of year:

• A tree or large limb falls on a house, garage, or fence
  

• Trees brought down across roads or driveways
  

• Hanging branches over power lines or walkways
  

• Heavy snow bending limbs to the point of breakage
  

• Trees uprooted by saturated, frozen soil and strong wind

Many of these situations are unsafe to handle without professional help, especially when snow, ice, and slippery conditions make access more dangerous.

Step-by-Step: What to Do If a Tree Falls

1. Stay Calm and Get to Safety

If a tree falls on your home or near power lines, your first priority is safety. Evacuate if needed and avoid touching any part of the tree—especially if there’s electrical involvement.

2. Call 911 If Power Lines Are Involved

This is critical. Even if lines don’t appear live, assume they are. Never attempt to move a branch touching a wire.

3. Contact Your Utility Company

For downed power lines or blocked public roads, your local utility provider or public works department needs to be notified.

4. Call New Life Arbor for Emergency Tree Response

Once everyone is safe and utilities are aware, we can take over. Our team is trained for 24/7 emergency response, even in severe winter conditions. We’ll assess the situation, stabilize the area, and safely remove the tree or limbs.

📞 Call us anytime: (616) 404-4211

What Our Emergency Services Include

At New Life Arboricultural Services, we provide a full suite of emergency services tailored for winter hazards:

• Safe tree removal under icy, snowy, or high-risk conditions

• Limb and debris removal after ice storms

• Structural assessments for nearby trees at risk of falling

• On-site crane service for hard-to-reach or heavy trees

• Cleanup and wood hauling for storm-damaged properties

We don’t cut corners, and we never leave a site until we know your home and family are safe

What You Should Not Do

🚫 Don’t try to cut branches yourself

Snow-covered limbs are unpredictable. They shift, snap back, and can collapse unexpectedly.

🚫 Don’t drive over downed limbs

They could be covering sharp debris, hidden cables, or unstable snowpacks.

🚫 Don’t ignore partial damage

Even if a tree didn’t fall completely, a hanging limb or cracked trunk is a ticking time bomb once another storm rolls through.

What About Insurance?

Many homeowners’ policies cover damage from fallen trees—especially if it affects structures or access points.

We recommend:

• Taking photos before removal

• Saving all documentation from the tree service

• Contacting your insurance agent ASAP

We can also work directly with adjusters to help streamline the claim process.

Be Proactive: Prevent the Next Emergency

While not every storm event can be predicted, many tree emergencies are preventable with the right fall or early-winter prep. Before the next snow hits, we suggest:

• Removing dead or overhanging limbs

• Checking trees near power lines or structures

• Pruning to reduce wind resistance

• Cabling large limbs for added support

• Scheduling a winter risk assessment
  

Our certified arborists can identify weaknesses and help you create a plan to minimize risk—not just for winter, but all year long.

Real West Michigan, Real Solutions

We’ve helped residents across Cascade, Caledonia, Grandville, Zeeland, and East Grand Rapids manage winter tree emergencies quickly and safely. Our reputation is built on responsiveness, care, and always putting safety first.

When trees fall, we rise to the occasion.

Final Thoughts

Michigan winters are unpredictable—but your emergency response doesn’t have to be. If a tree comes down on your property, you want a team you can trust, and one that’s local, licensed, and experienced in handling winter-specific challenges.

Don’t wait until the damage is done. Keep our number handy, or better yet—schedule a winter safety check before the next storm.

Need emergency help or want to prepare before the next big storm?

Visit https://newlifearbor.com/ or call (616) 404-4211 for 24/7 support from your trusted local arborists.