Storm Cleanup and Downed Tree Clearing in North Georgia
Northline Forestry Group cleans up downed trees, broken tops and storm debris on land across North Georgia and metro Atlanta, mostly by mulching it in place with a tracked forestry mulcher. It is for landowners, farms, hunting tracts, HOAs and homeowners with storm-damaged woods, fence lines, trails and open ground.
Storm Cleanup, the Northline way
A bad thunderstorm, tornado or the tail end of a tropical system can lay down a lot of timber in North Georgia. Pines snap, hardwoods uproot, and suddenly your driveway, trail, fence line or back pasture is buried. Cutting all of that up with a chainsaw and dragging it into piles is slow, dangerous work. A tracked mulcher handles a tangle of downed trees and limbs far faster and keeps you off the ground under the mess.
Most of the time we grind the storm debris right where it lies. The mulch stays on the ground, so there are no burn piles and no hauling. If you need a clean area, such as a yard edge or a future building spot, we can also pile and haul or burn where allowed. Stumps are mulched down to about ground level. We do not offer below-grade stump grinding.
Our work is on the land. If a tree is on your house, on a vehicle, or tangled in power lines, call your insurance company and the utility first. Never go near downed lines. Once the immediate hazards are handled, we can clear the downed timber across your property and reopen the access you use every day. Fully insured, owner-operated, and used to working on rough, uneven ground.
Best for
- Wooded acreage with blowdowns
- Farm roads and driveways blocked by fallen trees
- Pasture fence lines crushed by trees
- Hunting tracts with trails and lanes buried
- HOA common areas and wooded buffers
- Homeowners with storm debris in back acreage
What we cover
Downed tree mulching
Fallen trees, broken trunks and tops are ground in place. Leaning and hung-up trees are handled with care so they come down safely.
Limb and debris cleanup
Snapped limbs, brush and scattered debris across woods and open ground are mulched into a layer that covers the soil.
Trail and road reopening
We clear fallen timber off farm roads, ATV trails, shooting lanes and driveway paths so you can get back in.
Fence line clearing
Trees on fences are cleared so your fence can be repaired. We take care not to drag wire any further than the storm already did.
Root ball and stump work
Uprooted root balls and stumps are mulched down to about ground level. Below-grade stump grinding is not offered.
Haul-off when needed
If you want an area left clean, we can haul debris off, or burn where allowed with the right permit. Mulching in place is usually the cheaper route.
Storm damage and soft ground in North Georgia
North Georgia gets its share of severe weather. Spring and summer thunderstorms bring straight-line winds, tornadoes touch down most years somewhere in the state, and tropical systems can push heavy rain and wind well inland. Shallow-rooted pines and trees on saturated clay are the first to go over. The result is often a jackstraw tangle of trunks under tension, which is the most dangerous kind of debris to cut by hand.
Storms usually come with a lot of rain, and wet red clay does not hold up well to equipment. We use a tracked machine, which spreads its weight better than wheels, but we still pay attention to ground conditions. Sometimes it is better to wait a few days for the ground to firm up so we do not rut your pasture or driveway. We will tell you honestly when that is the smarter call.
Uprooted trees leave holes and bare soil, and Georgia's clay and Piedmont soils erode quickly when they are left exposed. Mulching storm debris in place puts a cover back over that ground. If the damage runs along a creek, Georgia requires a 25-foot buffer along state waters, 50 feet on trout streams, for land-disturbing activity, and we plan around it. If you plan to dig to fill holes or reset posts, call Georgia 811 first.
Our process
Call and send photos
Tell us where the damage is and send photos if you can. Let us know about any trees on structures or near power lines.
Hazard check and quote
We look at access, leaning or hung-up trees, ground conditions and what you need opened first. You get a free quote.
Open access first
We usually start by clearing driveways, roads and trails so you and anyone else working on the property can get in.
Mulch the debris
Downed trees, limbs and root balls are ground in place. Anything you want hauled or burned is handled where allowed.
Final walkthrough
We walk the property with you to confirm access is open and the debris is handled the way you wanted.
Storm Cleanup FAQ
Can you clean up trees that fell in my woods after a storm?
Yes. Clearing downed trees and storm debris on land is exactly what a forestry mulcher is good at. We grind fallen trunks, tops, limbs and brush in place and leave a mulch layer behind. That works in woods, pastures, fence lines, trails and around field edges. If a tree is on a house or near power lines, call your insurer and the utility first, then we can handle the rest of the property.
How much does storm cleanup cost?
We price storm cleanup after we see it, and the quote is free. Cost depends on how much area is affected, how many trees are down and how big they are, how tangled and tensioned the debris is, slope and ground conditions, access for the machine, and whether you want everything mulched in place or some of it hauled off. Mulching in place is usually the less expensive option.
How fast can you get out after a storm?
We get to storm jobs as quickly as our schedule and ground conditions allow, and we will give you an honest date when you call. After a big storm, demand goes up across the region, so call early. Very wet ground can also mean waiting a few days so the machine does not cause ruts. Most cleanup jobs take one to a few days, depending on how much timber is down.
What is left after storm cleanup?
On most jobs you are left with a layer of mulch where the debris was and open, usable ground. Trunks, limbs and root balls are ground down, and stumps end up at about ground level. We do not offer below-grade stump grinding. If you want an area left clean, we can haul the debris off or burn it where allowed and permitted, but that adds cost and time.
Is it safe to cut up storm-damaged trees myself?
Storm-damaged trees are some of the most dangerous trees to cut. Trunks bent under other trees store a lot of tension and can spring or roll when cut. Hung-up trees can fall without warning. A tracked mulcher lets the operator work from a protected cab, away from the tension. If you do cut anything yourself, stay well clear of power lines and never work alone.
Will insurance pay for storm cleanup on my land?
That depends on your policy, so check with your insurance agent. Some homeowners policies cover removing trees that hit a covered structure or block a driveway, while debris out in the woods is often not covered. Farm and land policies vary. We do not handle claims, but we can give you a written free quote and take photos of the damage before and after, which can help when you talk with your insurer.
Often paired with
Land & Lot Clearing
Clearing for homesites, building lots and acreage across North Georgia. We mulch where we can, grub when the build needs it, and leave the site ready.
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Trail & Road Cutting
We cut ATV and walking trails, access roads, driveway paths and shooting lanes through North Georgia woods, routed to drain well and hold up over time.
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Debris Hauling & Burning
When mulching in place is not the right fit, we haul off clearing debris or burn it where allowed and permitted, so your site is left clean and ready.
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