Tree care · Southeast
Alabama has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, so trees grow fast and stay green for a long season. Pine forests, oaks, pecans and Southern magnolias fill yards and neighborhoods from the Tennessee Valley down to the Gulf coast. Spring storms and Gulf hurricanes are the main reasons trees come down.
Trees that commonly grow or are often planted here. The storm risk is our plain rating for the species as a whole, not an inspection of your tree.
Pinus taeda
Storm risk high
Care and removal notesPinus palustris
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesQuercus nigra
Storm risk high
Care and removal notesQuercus phellos
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesQuercus virginiana
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesLiquidambar styraciflua
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesCarya illinoinensis
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesMagnolia grandiflora
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesLagerstroemia indica
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesLiriodendron tulipifera
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesAcer rubrum
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesSee every species in the tree library.
Widely known concerns in this part of the country. If you see signs, ask a certified arborist or your state extension office. Ranges change, so check your state's official maps.
More in tree pests and diseases.
Severe storms and tornadoes are most common from March to May, with a second severe season in late fall. Hurricane season runs from June to November, and the Gulf coast is hit hardest.
Main storm months: March to May and November for severe storms; June to November for hurricanes
After a storm, stay away from downed lines and call the utility. Call 911 if anyone is in danger. Read what to do after a storm and our storm guides.
Most trees can be pruned in the cooler months, from late fall to late winter, when the work is easier on the tree and on crews. Storm-damaged limbs should be handled as soon as it is safe, and pines are often best worked in cooler weather.
Each species page lists its own best and worst times. See the month-by-month tree care calendar and when to prune.
Some Alabama cities have tree ordinances for protected or heritage trees, and a permit may be needed before removal. Rules differ by city and county, so check with your city before work starts. This is a short explanation, not legal advice.
Short explanation, not legal advice. Read our plain guide to tree permits.
City rules we checked in Alabama, with links to the official sources. Checked 26 October 2026. Rules change; short explanation, not legal advice.
See tree removal permits by city for every city we checked.
For homeowners
State license required
Alabama requires a state license for at least some tree work. Ask the company to show it. See the Alabama state rules page for details and official links.
Get two or three written quotes. To find local pros, search Google Maps and read their reviews. Full steps in how to hire a tree service and the hiring checklist.
Own a tree service in Alabama?
Missed-call text-back, lead follow-up, booking and review requests, set up for tree companies.
For tree service owners
For most trees, late fall through late winter is a good window, because the tree is dormant and the weather is milder. Dead or broken limbs can be taken out any time of year. Ask a certified arborist about your specific species.
Pines are very common and can be beautiful, but tall pines near a house deserve a check. Stressed pines can attract bark beetles, and pines can drop heavy limbs or fall in strong wind. Ask an arborist or your extension office about the beetles that are active in your area.
Stay away from any tree that is leaning, split or touching a power line. Call the utility for downed lines and 911 if anyone is in danger. Then call an insured tree service to look at the tree before anyone cuts it.
There is no single rule for the whole state, but some cities protect certain large or heritage trees. Check with your city or county planning office before you cut. This is a short explanation, not legal advice.
Alabama has a state permit tied to tree surgery, which covers work like cabling, bracing and cavity work, and the law says pruning alone is not tree surgery. Check the state rules page and ask the Department of Agriculture and Industries about your exact job. This is a short explanation, not legal advice.
Have large trees near the house checked in spring, and remove dead limbs and weak forks. A healthy, well-pruned tree usually handles wind better. No pruning can make a tree storm-proof, so keep an eye on trees with decay or a lean.
No. Lirevon is a remote marketing team for tree service companies. We do not do tree work and we do not list or rank tree companies. To find a local insured pro, search Google Maps, read their reviews and get two or three written quotes.