Storm and emergency tree removal in Longview
Trees on roofs, fences and lines, and what to do in what order.
When a storm puts a tree on a roof, a car or a fence in Longview, the order of things matters: people and power lines first, insurance photos second, the saw last.
A tree on a line is SWEPCO's call. SWEPCO says not to cut back trees near power lines yourself. Keep everyone away from any downed wire and report it to the utility before a tree contractor starts.
Longview's recent storm record
Two events show what wind does to Longview's trees. On May 8, 2019, the National Weather Service found straight-line winds of about 90 mph caused widespread damage that many had taken for a tornado, along a path nearly 17 miles long and about 2,500 yards wide. Roughly 17,000 SWEPCO customers in the Longview area were without power that Thursday night.
In June 2023, storms the night of the 15th and again the next morning left a good part of the city without power. KLTV reported a large tree through the main room of a house on Texas Street, a tree on a house on Tiffany Lane, a full-size pine across a driveway on Lawndale Avenue, and a tree that tore down a power line on Tulane Avenue. The city warned that fallen trees and lines could make some roads impassable.
In July 2024, after the remnants of Hurricane Beryl, KLTV reported the city's compost site near capacity. The city said the site handles about 100,000 cubic yards of material a year plus roughly 40,000 cubic yards of storm debris.
Which damaged trees can stay
Texas A&M Forest Service's storm planning guide, written for cities, sorts damage into a few kinds that are useful to a homeowner too:
| What you see | What the guide calls for |
|---|---|
| A broken limb hung up in the crown (a "hanger") | Remove the limb only |
| A limb or trunk splitting | Prune, cable or remove |
| A leaning trunk with soil broken and heaved opposite the lean | Remove |
The same guide recommends that trees not posing an imminent risk be left until a damage assessment is done, which for a homeowner means a tree that isn't threatening anything can usually wait for a calmer, better-priced visit.
What storm work costs
Angi's national guide says emergency tree removal can cost up to $5,000, and removing a tree that's already fallen costs $75 to $150 when it's simply lying in the open. Lawn Love's guide, updated October 2026, puts emergency or storm removal at $450 to $3,000 and fallen-tree removal at $90 to $300.
After the call
- Photograph everything.The tree, the damage and the yard, before anything is moved.
- Call your insurer.Ask what your policy covers for removal from a structure versus cleanup in the yard.
- Report lines to SWEPCO.Don't let anyone, contractor or neighbor, cut near a line the utility hasn't cleared.
- Get a written price.Including what happens to the wood and whether the stump is in.
Where these facts come from
- SWEPCO tree trimming process, SWEPCO news, Sept. 1, 2022
- NWS: Straight line winds caused damage in Longview, KLTV, May 10, 2019
- Several public service offices in Longview closed following storm, KLTV, Jeff Awtrey, June 16, 2023
- City of Longview seeking solutions to manage quickly filling compost site, KLTV, Jamey Boyum, July 12, 2024
- Community Forest Planning Guide: Storms, Texas A&M Forest Service PDF
- Tree Removal Cost, Angi, by Stephanie Mickelson, revised Oct. 22, 2026
- How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in 2026? Lawn Love, by Adrian Nita, revised Oct. 5, 2026
- City of Longview: What Bulky Items Can Be Collected
Looked up October 27, 2026. Longview services, Texas rules and published prices all shift over time, so open the source before leaning on any one figure.
Common questions
A neighbor's tree fell on my house. Who pays?
That's an insurance and property question this site can't answer; call your insurer first and photograph the damage before anything is moved.
Can I cut a tree off the power line myself?
No. SWEPCO says not to cut back trees near power lines yourself. Report it to the utility and keep clear.
Will the city pick up storm debris?
Longview's regular bulky item service takes branches 3 to 10 feet long, up to 8 cubic yards a pickup and four loads a year. After a major storm, check with the city for any extra debris collection. Residents can also take limbs to the compost site. See brush disposal.
Get storm damage looked at
Phone the number or use the form; a tree contractor from the Longview area returns the call and arranges to see the job. There's no fee for asking.
Voicemail picked up? Leave a name, the best number, where the property is, and whether the tree is leaning, dead or already down.