When a powerful storm hits, it doesn’t just leave behind puddles and broken fences—it leaves twisted branches, uprooted trees, and dangling limbs that pose serious safety risks. Storm tree cleanup isn’t just hard work; it’s technical, dangerous, and requires specialized equipment to do safely and efficiently.

Here’s a look at the essential gear used during storm cleanup—and why each piece matters.

In storm scenarios, you're working with compromised wood, shifting weight, and limited access. That’s where rigging lines come in—heavy-duty ropes designed to bear thousands of pounds with control and precision. Whether you're lowering a massive limb over a roofline or guiding a trunk section to the ground, rigging lines provide stability and peace of mind.

For serious lifting and lowering, choose from ½" to ¾" diameters depending on the job. Recommended options include:

• Samson Stable Braid
• Samson Dynasorb II
• Sterling Kraken
• Sterling Atlas
• Sterling Wild Bull – high strength, abrasion-resistant, and easy to handle.

Speedlines are a game-changer when material needs to be moved quickly across rough or steep terrain. By turning gravity into a working tool, they reduce labor, minimize ground damage, and dramatically speed up cleanups.

Top uses:

• Slope Cleanup – Move limbs and brush downhill with minimal effort.
• Structure Avoidance – Send branches away from roofs, fences, and fragile areas.
• Remote Drop Zones – Relocate debris when direct drops aren’t possible.
• Crew Efficiency – Let climbers cut while ground crews manage materials below.

Mounted at the base of a tree or anchor point, lowering devices manage rope friction and provide smooth, controlled descent of heavy wood. They reduce strain on the rope and give ground crews mechanical advantage during removals.

Trusted options include:

• Notch Portawrap
• GRCS – Good Rigging Control System