When severe storms strike and trees fall, the City of Huntsville is on top of it.

Published on May 30, 2025

With the recent wave of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms toppling trees throughout north Alabama, there’s a detail to keep mind during cleanup. If a tree on City of Huntsville property falls onto private property, the City’s Landscape Management crews may be able to remove or clean up that tree.

Unfortunately, downed trees have been common in recent storms, particularly on Monte Sano and on the eastern side of the mountain along Dug Hill Road. In fact, the National Weather Service forecast office in Huntsville determined an EF-1 tornado caused the damage.

Storm cleanup can be laborious, of course, as well as something that needs to be done quickly for public safety concerns.

“The City has various resources and people need to know who to contact about different things,” City Arborist Marc Byers said. “There are procedures that citizens need to know.”

Should a tree on City property fall on your property, it’s possible you will hear from the City’s Landscape Management Department before you can reach out about it. However, Byers noted that there is a specific process that takes place in storm cleanup.

The priority is safely opening streets that may be blocked by fallen trees and restoring power. Those responsibilities that falls to Huntsville Utilities and the City’s Public Works Department. These organizations ensure there is no danger posed by live wires or natural gas leaks as trees are cleared and power restored.

After that, Landscape Management deploys to take care of other hazard trees. Once the hazards are removed, the focus changes to assisting with downed trees associated with City properties or right-of-way. Easements are typically the responsibility of the private property owners.

“There could be something any time that could cause damage,” Byers said. “The damage was localized but where that occurred, it was very heavy within that immediate area.”

Sometimes, the City’s role in storm cleanups can get complicated.

Byers recalled a recent situation when a tree on City property along Jordan Lane was split by a lightning strike.

“You’ve got half a tree blown all over the road from the lightning and half a tree standing,” he said. “Public Works got the initial call because it was in the road, and they were trying to clean it up. Then they called me for help on it and I came and inspected it. I looked behind the tree and there was a three-phase power line directly behind it that was imminently threatened. I called for Huntsville Utilities’ help and expertise to take care of the tree. We all wound up working together to get that tree down safely.”

So, yes, things can get a little hairy sometimes when it comes to storms and trees. But if you have the misfortune of a tree on City property fall onto your property, contact Landscape Management for assistance or guidance.