A storm-damaged tree can look still long before the site is safe. A broken limb may hang in the canopy, rest against another branch or touch a line you can’t see clearly. Start by keeping people, pets and vehicles away from the area underneath and around it.
Check for an immediate hazard
Look from a safe location, such as inside the house. If a wire is down or a tree touches an overhead line, stay away and contact the electric utility. If anyone is in immediate danger, call emergency services. Avoid moving a branch or object in contact with a line.
A limb on the ground can still be under tension. Resist the urge to pull it loose, climb up for a better look or make a quick cut. A professional can assess how the weight rests and what else may shift.
Record what changed
When you can do so safely, take a wide photograph from outside the affected area. Include the tree, nearby structures and the route into the yard. Note when the storm passed and whether the branch has moved since then.
Describe what you see in ordinary language. “A limb hangs over the detached garage” is more helpful than guessing which cut it needs. Tell the crew if the driveway is blocked or if people normally enter through a door beneath the canopy.
Arrange a site assessment
University of Minnesota Extension has a guide to storm damage in landscape trees. A broken branch does not by itself determine the fate of the whole tree. Ask the professional what needs attention first, whether further assessment makes sense and how the crew will manage debris. Keep the area clear until someone qualified evaluates it.
For tree service in the Mankato area, share your address, the access route and any utility involvement. That lets the crew discuss an appropriate next step for a storm-damaged tree after the immediate hazards are addressed.