Emergency Tree Service & Storm Cleanup in Howard County
When a tree comes down on your house, your car, or across your driveway, you don't need a business-hours voicemail — you need someone who answers. Ellicott City Tree Care runs a 24/7 emergency line at 410-826-9006 for storm damage across Ellicott City, Columbia, Catonsville, Clarksville, and Elkridge.
Howard County weather is hard on trees
Between summer thunderstorm season, the occasional derecho, tropical-storm remnants moving up the coast, and winter ice loading, mature trees here take a beating every year. Saturated ground after heavy rain is a particular problem in our area: it doesn't take an extreme wind to tip a full-canopy tree when its roots are sitting in soaked soil. The result is the calls we get most — uprooted trees on roofs and fences, large limbs down across driveways, and split trunks hanging over houses waiting to finish falling.
What counts as a tree emergency
- A tree or large limb on your house, garage, or vehicle
- A tree blocking your driveway or access to your home
- A split trunk, hanging limb ("widow-maker"), or new lean over an area people use
- A lifted root plate — soil mounding on one side of a tree means it's actively failing
- Storm damage that has to be stabilized before more weather arrives
One thing first: if a tree has brought down power lines, stay far away and call BGE at 1-877-778-2222 before calling anyone else. No tree company touches a tree that's in contact with an energized line until the utility clears it.
What to do while you wait
Keep people and pets out of the damaged area — a tree resting on a structure is under tension and can shift. If it's safe to do so, take photos from a distance for your insurance claim before anything is moved. Don't attempt to cut anything that's under load; limbs bent under a fallen trunk store spring energy and are a leading cause of chainsaw injuries. We walk through the full sequence in our guide on what to do after storm damage in Howard County.
How emergency response works
Call the line, describe what's down and what it's on, and we'll prioritize the response — trees on occupied structures and blocked access come first. Emergency work typically happens in two phases: first making the situation safe (removing weight from the structure, clearing access, taking down anything about to fall), then full cleanup and hauling, which can happen immediately or be scheduled once the urgent risk is gone. You get a written scope either way, and we document the work in a way your insurance adjuster can use.
Does homeowners insurance cover this?
Usually, yes — when a tree damages a covered structure, standard policies cover removal from the structure and repair, minus your deductible. A tree that falls in the yard and hits nothing is often not covered, or covered at a small fixed amount. Take photos, save your receipt, and call your insurer promptly; we're happy to provide the documentation they ask for.
Tree down right now? Call 410-826-9006 — the emergency line is answered 24/7, weekends and holidays included.