Emergency Tree Service — We Pick Up. We Show Up.
A tree on your roof, a limb across your driveway, a trunk leaning toward your home after a storm — these can't wait until Monday morning. Our emergency crew is available around the clock, every day of the year.
Licensed & Insured
CA License #1090832
Available 24/7/365
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24/7 Emergency Response · Santa Cruz & South Bay
What We Handle | Emergency Situations
If It Can't Wait, Call Us
Tree emergencies don't follow a schedule. Here's what we respond to:
Storm-Damaged Trees
High winds, atmospheric rivers, and saturated soils are a dangerous combination. We respond to trees that have partially fallen, split at the trunk, lost major limbs, or are leaning dangerously after a storm event.
Trees on Structures
A tree or large limb that has landed on a roof, fence, vehicle, or outbuilding needs to be removed carefully and quickly to prevent further structural damage. We have the rigging equipment and experience to lift and remove heavy material from structures without making the damage worse.
Blocked Access
A fallen tree across a driveway, road, or emergency access route is a safety and liability issue. We clear it promptly.
Imminent Failure
Sometimes a tree hasn't fallen yet — but it's clearly about to. A severe lean that appeared overnight, a trunk crack that's opened up, a root ball that's starting to lift — these are situations that warrant immediate assessment and action rather than waiting to see what happens.
Post-Wildfire Hazards
Fire-damaged trees are structurally unpredictable and can fail without warning. We assess and remove fire-compromised trees throughout our service area following wildfire events.
Limbs Over Utility Lines
Branches that have fallen onto or are pressing against power lines create both a safety hazard and a service disruption. We work alongside utility protocols to address these situations safely.
Why Response Time Matters
Every Hour of Delay Increases the Risk
A compromised tree or heavy limb under load doesn't stay in the same position indefinitely. Wind, aftershocks, continued rain, and the tree's own weight all work against a stable outcome. What's balanced precariously at midnight may not be by morning.
There's also the damage compounding problem. A limb sitting on a roof is applying constant load to the structure beneath it. The longer it stays, the more potential for secondary damage — to the roof, the gutters, the framing below. Getting it off quickly limits the repair bill.
Our emergency line is answered by someone who can dispatch a crew — not an answering service that takes a message. When you call our emergency tree service line at (831) 428-5694, you reach Bears Tree Services directly 24/7/265.
What to Do While You Wait
Before We Arrive — Stay Safe
If you're dealing with a tree emergency right now:
Stay clear of the tree and any limbs under tension. A tree that has partially fallen is under significant mechanical stress. Branches and sections can shift or fall without warning — keep people and pets well away from the affected area.
Don't attempt to move or cut the tree yourself unless you have professional training. Cutting a limb or trunk that is under tension can cause it to kick back or release violently.
If a tree or limb is on a power line, treat the line as live and keep everyone away. Contact your utility company and our emergency line simultaneously.
Document the damage with photos if it's safe to do so from a distance — this is useful for insurance purposes and helps us understand the situation before we arrive.
Call your insurance company to report the damage and open a claim. We can provide documentation to support your claim after the job is complete.
Insurance Claims
Storm Damage and Your Homeowner's Insurance
Many storm-related tree emergencies are at least partially covered by homeowner's insurance — particularly when a tree or limb has damaged a covered structure. The process typically requires documentation of the damage before cleanup begins, a written assessment from the tree service, and photos of the scene.
We're experienced with insurance claim documentation and can provide the written assessment and photo record your insurer will ask for. Let us know when you call that you're planning to file a claim and we'll make sure we capture what's needed before we start work.
Note that policies vary significantly. Coverage for tree removal without structural damage, and for removal of trees that were in declining health before the event, differs from policy to policy. Your insurance agent is the right person to clarify what your specific coverage includes.
Our Emergency Capability | Built for Fast, Technical Work
The Right Equipment for High-Stakes Situations
Emergency tree work is some of the most technically demanding work our crews do. Trees on rooftops, limbs pinned against structures, partially fallen trees with unpredictable tension — these situations require experience, the right rigging, and calm decision-making under pressure.
We come equipped for whatever the situation requires: cranes and lift equipment for heavy material removal, technical rigging for precision lowering near structures, and the full range of hand tools and chainsaws for efficient debris clearing. Our crews work quickly without cutting corners on safety — for them or for your property.
We also work across the full range of terrain common to our service area — steep slopes, tight residential lots, rural mountain properties with limited access, and coastal properties where wind and erosion complicate the picture.
Emergency Tree Service Area
We provide end-weight reduction and storm prep pruning throughout:
Santa Cruz County:
Santa Clara County
Monterey County
San Bonito County
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Santa Cruz
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Scotts Valley
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Soquel
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Capitola
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Aptos
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Watsonville
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Felton
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Ben Lomond
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Brookdale
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Bonny Doon
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Boulder Creek
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San Jose
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Santa Clara
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Palo Alto
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Los Altos
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Mountain View
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Saratoga
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Los Gatos
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Cupertino
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Sunnyvale
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Morgan Hill
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Gilroy
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Monterey
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Salinas
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Carmel
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Pebble Beach
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Pacific Grove
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Seaside
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Marina
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Moss Landing
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Aromas
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Hollister
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San Juan Bautista
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Tres Pinos
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Ridgemark
COMMON QUESTIONS
Emergency Tree Service FAQs
Q: How quickly can you respond to an emergency call?
A: Response time depends on location, time of day, and how many concurrent emergency calls we're handling — particularly during major storm events when demand is high across the region. When you call (831) 428-5694, we'll give you an honest estimate of when we can be there. We prioritize situations involving active structural damage or imminent risk to people.
Q: Do you charge more for after-hours or weekend emergency calls?
A: Emergency work outside of regular business hours does carry a premium. We'll be upfront about pricing when you call — there are no surprise charges after the work is done.
Q: A tree fell on my car — what should I do?
A: Don't try to move the car or the tree. Call our emergency line and your auto insurance company. If the tree is also in contact with a power line, keep everyone away and call your utility company as well. Document the scene with photos from a safe distance.
Q: The tree hasn't fallen yet but looks like it might — does that count as an emergency?
A: Yes. A tree showing signs of imminent failure — sudden lean, visible root lift, fresh trunk cracks, major limbs hanging by a thread — is an emergency situation. Call us. We'd rather assess a tree that turns out to be stable than be called after it has already fallen on something.
Q: Can you help with my insurance claim?
A: Yes. We provide written documentation and photo records that support homeowner's insurance claims for storm damage. Let us know when you call that you plan to file a claim and we'll make sure the documentation is in order.
Q: What if the damage is from a neighbor's tree?
A: Liability in these situations depends on the specific circumstances — whether the neighbor knew the tree was hazardous, the nature of the damage, and your state and local regulations. Your homeowner's insurance is the first call; they'll advise on liability questions. We can remove the tree and document the situation — the legal questions are between you, your neighbor, and your insurers.