FEMA may consider trees to be hazardous and eligible if the Applicant can attribute the damage to the incident and if the tree's diameter is 6 inches or greater, measures at least 4.5 feet above ground level, and has one or more of the following characteristics:

• Split trunk
• Broken canopy
• Leaning at an angle greater than 30 degrees

In instances where a disaster-damaged tree has 50 percent or more of the root-ball exposed, the tree may be eligible for removal and the root-ball may be eligible for filling. Should FEMA determine that the tree is eligible for funding, the Applicant should note that:

• For contracted removal, FEMA will not reimburse two separate unit costs to remove the tree and its root-ball.
• When trees have less than 50 percent of the root-ball exposed, FEMA only provides Public Assistance funding to flush cut the item at ground level and dispose of the cut portion based on volume or weight; grinding any residual stump after cutting the tree is not eligible.