Operation Overstory Description

On January 24-26, 2026, Winter Storm Fern devastated Nashville and Middle Tennessee with the worst ice storm the region has experienced in decades. Ice accumulation caused trees to split and snap across the city, taking out hundreds of utility poles and contributing to record-setting power outages. The ice and downed trees made travel difficult, leading to a weeks-long disaster response period that is still ongoing.

The aftermath has created an overwhelming need for tree-related crisis cleanup across Nashville. An estimated minimum of 5,000 trees died in Nashville's park system alone - with the extent of damage to trees on private property still unknown. In United Way's latest canvass area in North Nashville, they identified 1,200 cases requiring crisis cleanup, with an estimated 300 cases (25%) requiring skilled labor. Crisis cleanup requests are consistently in the top needs reported by residents calling 211 for post-storm support.

While United Way and Hands On Nashville mobilized volunteers to help with storm cleanup, there is a critical shortage of skilled arborists to address hazardous tree situations on private residential property. Many vulnerable residents face difficult choices: paying thousands of dollars they don't have for emergency tree services, risking injury by attempting dangerous work themselves, or falling victim to predatory contractors who have flooded the area in the storm's wake.

NTCC developed this emergency response program to address this gap by activating our network of skilled arborists with experience in hazardous tree work, and who have a commitment to preserving trees. NTCC has a history of stepping up for the community after a disaster: “Operation Overstory” originally launched in March 2020, when we mobilized to give away thousands of trees to replace those lost to the tornado.

Without the partnership of United Way and Hands On Nashville, Dendro Tree Care, Nancy Murphy Consulting, Hella Trees, H. Imagine Shaw, and ISA Southern Chapter this work would not have been possible. Many thanks are extended to all of these individuals and organizations!

Need Help with a Storm-Damaged Tree?

To find a certified arborist, visit treesaregood.org . While ISA certification isn’t required for arborists to do business in Nashville, we recommend hiring an arborist with ISA certification because they have been trained to keep your tree healthy and safe. If your tree is damaged and you want it assessed for risk, look for ISA’s TRAQ certification in particular.
Additionally, no matter who you hire, always:
- Confirm the company has both workers compensation AND general liability insurance (ask for proof and verify it's current).
- Get an itemized, written estimate stating exactly what work will be done and what you'll pay
- Look at reviews or get a recommendation to verify they do good work. Avoid anyone who does tree topping (blunt cuts across the top) or careless work
To find a certified arborist, visit treesaregood.org . While ISA certification isn’t required for arborists to do business in Nashville, we recommend hiring an arborist with ISA certification because they have been trained to keep your tree healthy and safe. If your tree is damaged and you want it assessed for risk, look for ISA’s TRAQ certification in particular.
Certification isn’t always necessary for trees that are clearly beyond saving and that need to be completely removed. But if you want to keep a tree or assess whether it can be saved and made safe, then definitely look for ISA certification.
Additionally, no matter who you hire, always:
- Confirm the company has general liability insurance (ask for proof and verify it's current).
- Get an itemized, written estimate stating exactly what work will be done and what you'll pay
- Look at reviews or get a recommendation to verify they do good work. Avoid anyone who does tree topping (blunt cuts across the top) or careless work
After winter storm Fern, Nashville needs all the help it can get from professional arborists, as the damage exceeds local capacity. But, there's a wide range of operators - some excellent, some adequate, some unskilled/dangerous.
When considering whether to use a tree service, look for the ISA logo. While ISA certification isn’t required for arborists to do business in Nashville, we recommend hiring an arborist with ISA certification because they have been trained to keep your tree healthy and safe. Ask the company for the names of their ISA certified arborists, and then verify their credentials through treesaregood.org.
Certification isn’t always necessary for trees that are clearly beyond saving and that need to be completely removed. But if you want to keep a tree or assess whether it can be saved and made safe, then definitely look for ISA certification.
Additionally, no matter who you hire, always:
- Confirm the company has general liability insurance (ask for proof and verify it's current).
- Get an itemized, written estimate stating exactly what work will be done and what you'll pay
- Look at reviews or get a recommendation to verify they do good work. Avoid anyone who does tree topping (blunt cuts across the top) or careless work
Here’s an article with types of damage that merit a risk assessment.
Root Nashville has a handy infogra phic about different kinds of tree damage and tips for what to do.
If a tree has l ost more than 50% of its crown, it probably needs to be removed and likely isn’t worth paying for a risk assessment unless you really want to keep it.