Chapter 7 › XII.A Hazardous Limbs, Trees, and Stumps

Can we remove damaged trees, hanging limbs and stumps?

FEMA term

Hazardous limbs, trees and stumps

Short answer

Yes, when the incident damaged them enough to pose an immediate threat to life, public health and safety, or improved property. They are ineligible if the hazard existed before the incident, or if they are in a natural area and don’t threaten improved property or public-use areas.

What FEMA requires

Limbs: remove broken limbs threatening improved property or public-use areas. On private property, only limbs extending over the public right-of-way, removed from the right-of-way. Only the minimum cut is eligible.
Trees: damaged trees are hazardous if root, trunk or limb damage or their lean makes them a hazard, as assessed by the authority having jurisdiction with a qualified individual (forester, TRAQ-qualified assessor or certified arborist).
Choose a cost-per-tree or cost-per-parcel method and say which you used.
Bracing a tree is eligible as Category B. Pruning, trimming and landscaping are not.
Stump removal in areas with archaeological potential needs EHP review; stop work and notify FEMA if resources are found.

<table class="pt-table"><thead><tr><th>Situation</th><th>What FEMA funds</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Tree with 50% or more of root-ball exposed</td><td>Removing the tree and root-ball and filling the hole (not two separate unit costs)</td></tr><tr><td>Tree with less than 50% of root-ball exposed</td><td>Flush cut at ground level and disposal by volume or weight; grinding the stump is ineligible</td></tr><tr><td>Stump with 50% or more of root-ball exposed</td><td>Removal and filling the hole, or in-place grinding if cheaper</td></tr><tr><td>Stump not requiring extraction</td><td>Paid by volume or weight, not per stump</td></tr></tbody></table>

Documentation

Quantity removed; quantity, location and source of fill for root-ball holes; and the equipment used.
For each hazard, the location and photo or video of the specific immediate threat.

Source: PAPPG pp. 120–122.

Watch out · Govstar practitioner advice

Contract limbs as a one-time charge per tree, not per limb, and make sure stump prices include extraction, hauling, disposal and fill.

Govstar summarizes FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide in plain language and links to the official text. Govstar is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. This is general guidance, not legal advice.