The short answer: get everyone out of the impact area, cut power if a tree is on the house, stay away from anything near a power line, photograph the damage, and call a tree service. Do not try to cut a loaded trunk yourself.
North Texas storms are unpredictable. Spring brings straight-line winds and the occasional tornado. Summer thunderstorms drop microbursts that can flatten a healthy post oak in seconds. In Princeton and the rest of Collin County, tree damage after a storm is common and dangerous, and the first hour matters most.
Step one: safety. If a tree is on the house, get everyone out of the affected rooms. Shut off breakers to that part of the house if you can do it safely. Never approach a tree that is touching or near a power line. Call the utility to de-energize the line before anyone gets close.
Step two: document. Take clear photos from several angles: the tree, the point of impact, the interior damage, and any belongings that were hit. Your insurance carrier is going to ask for these. A licensed tree pro can also provide a written scope with photos that most adjusters accept.
Step three: call the pros. A loaded trunk, a leaning tree, or a hanger up in the canopy is not a DIY chainsaw job. Storm trees are under tension. They can whip, roll, or drop when released, and every year homeowners get hurt trying to cut them themselves. A trained crew rigs the pieces down in a controlled way, or brings in a crane for large trees on structures.
Step four: work with insurance. Most Texas homeowner policies cover tree removal when a tree hits a covered structure, up to the per-tree limit set by your policy. If the tree fell in the yard without hitting anything, insurance usually does not cover removal but the tree still needs to come down before it fails again. Ask your carrier what documentation they need before work starts.
Step five: check the rest of the yard. Storms often leave hangers, cracked limbs, and split trunks in trees that look fine from the ground. A same-visit trim from the storm crew catches the rest of the hazards before the next storm.
If a tree has come down on your property in Princeton or anywhere in Collin County, call the number at the top of this page for a free, no-obligation on-site assessment from a local insured pro. You can also send your details through the form and we will route the request to a crew fast.
Call (972) 555-0500 for a free tree service estimate in Princeton, TX.