Lancaster County experiences serious tree damage from nor'easters, summer thunderstorms, and ice storms. Knowing what to do — and what not to do — in the hours after a storm protects you, your family, and your insurance claim.
Do not approach any fallen tree or large limb that may be in contact with power lines. Downed lines may still be energized. Call PPL Electric (Lancaster's primary utility) at 1-800-342-5775 and stay clear until they confirm the line is de-energized.
Before any tree is moved or cut, photograph everything from multiple angles. Document the fallen tree, the damage to any structures, and the surrounding area. This documentation is essential for insurance claims and should be done before calling for removal.
Call your homeowner insurance company to report the damage and ask whether tree removal is covered under your policy. In Pennsylvania, coverage typically applies when a tree falls on a covered structure. Get a claim number before authorizing any work.
Contact a licensed tree service for assessment and removal. For trees on structures, vehicles, or blocking access, this is urgent. For trees that fell in the yard, scheduling within 1–3 days is typically appropriate. Ask for written documentation of work performed for your insurance file.
Lancaster County homeowners experience four distinct storm risk periods through the year, each producing different tree damage patterns.
Nor'easters bring the heaviest tree damage to Lancaster County, particularly in late fall and early spring when trees may still carry leaves or before trees have fully hardened for winter. The combination of heavy wet snow or ice with wind is the leading cause of large tree failure in the county. Manheim Township's mature silver maples and the older oaks lining streets in Lititz Borough are particularly vulnerable during nor'easter events.
Fast-moving summer thunderstorms regularly produce wind gusts above 50 mph across Lancaster County. These events tend to cause sudden limb failures and occasionally complete uprooting of shallow-rooted trees in saturated soil following heavy rain. The combination of full leaf canopy and wet soil from preceding rain is responsible for many of the county's summer tree emergencies.
Ice storms are the most destructive event for Bradford pears, which are planted extensively throughout Lancaster County's suburban neighborhoods. A quarter inch of ice on branches is enough to snap smaller limbs; a half inch brings down larger limbs and causes the V-shaped trunk splits that Bradford pears are notorious for. Ephrata, Elizabethtown, and the Route 30 corridor communities see significant Bradford pear failures during ice events.
The days following a storm are important for assessing secondary hazards. Trees that are still standing may have sustained hidden damage — partially broken limbs hanging in the canopy (widow makers), shifted root plates that haven't caused visible leaning yet, or stress cracks not visible from the ground. Walking your property after a storm and looking up into the canopy is worth doing before resuming normal outdoor activity.
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(717) 716-6715