Trees are an essential part of our landscapes, providing shade and beauty throughout the year. Unfortunately, the same trees that we admire can become significant hazards under certain conditions. For example, trees and large branches can fall during strong storms, high winds, or simply over time due to disease or age. When this happens, it’s important to know what to do to protect your safety and your family’s well-being.
While you may be tempted to handle the situation yourself, it’s always best to leave tree and branch removal to the professionals. With that in mind, here’s how you can take action when a tree or branch falls on your property.
What to Do When a Tree Falls on Your House
Has a tree fallen on your home? Follow these steps to protect your family and minimize further damage:
Step 1: Ensure Everyone Is Safe & Evacuate Immediately
Your absolute first priority is the safety of everyone inside the house, so do not waste a moment. Account for every person and pet in the home and evacuate immediately. Even if the damage appears minor from the inside, the tree has compromised the structural integrity of your roof and potentially other parts of your home. This means there is a real danger of further collapse.
Once outside, move a safe distance away from the house. Be aware of power lines that may have been brought down by the tree. If you see any, keep a minimum distance of 50 feet and assume they are live and dangerous.
Step 2: Call Emergency Services if Necessary
If there are injuries or you suspect a fire or gas leak, your first call should be to 911. Firefighters and first responders can care for those who are injured, help secure the area, and prevent further harm.
Step 3: Contact Your Utility Company
If the tree has taken down power lines or appears to be affecting your utilities, contact your electric, gas, or water company. They will send technicians to shut down any potentially dangerous connections.
Step 4: Document the Damage (From a Safe Distance)
Once you are safely away from the immediate danger, and if it is safe to do so, begin documenting the damage. This will be crucial for your insurance claim.
Using your smartphone, capture the scene from multiple angles. Get wide shots showing the entire tree and its position on your house, and then closer shots of the specific points of impact. Document damage to the roof, windows, siding, and any other part of your home. Be sure to also take pictures of the tree itself, including the trunk and the point where it broke or was uprooted. This can sometimes be relevant for determining the cause of the fall.
If it becomes safe to re-enter a portion of the house far from the impact zone, document any interior damage like cracked ceilings, broken drywall, or water leaks. However, do not re-enter if there is any doubt about the structure’s stability.
Step 5: Contact Your Homeowner’s Insurance Company
Your next call should be to your insurance agent or the company’s 24/7 claims hotline. The sooner you start the claims process, the better. Provide them with all the details of the incident, and they will assign a claims adjuster to your case and guide you on the next steps.
Typically, homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost of tree removal if it has fallen on a covered structure, as well as the repairs to the structure itself. They may also cover the cost of temporary repairs to prevent further damage, like tarping the roof. Of course, every insurance policy is different, so make sure you ask about what yours covers.
Step 6: Call a Professional Emergency Tree Company
Once your insurance has been notified, call a professional tree removal company to handle the cleanup. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to remove a tree from your house on your own.
Fallen trees are under immense and unpredictable tension. A wrong cut can cause the tree to shift, roll, or snap, leading to catastrophic results. Professionals have the training, experience, and specialized equipment (like cranes and rigging) to dismantle and remove the tree safely.
What to Do When a Tree Falls Elsewhere on Your Property
Even if a tree or large branch doesn’t hit your home, it still requires careful handling. After all, it can shift or roll at any moment, causing harm to your landscaping or nearby structures (such as a fence, your garage, or even the foundation of your house). Additionally, the branch or tree may be blocking key access points like your driveway, sidewalk, or front or back door.
You can protect your property from extensive damage and restore access to critical areas by following these steps after a branch or tree falls somewhere on your property:
Step 1: Stay Clear of the Area
While it may not seem like an emergency, a fallen tree can still be unstable. Avoid walking or driving near it, especially if it’s resting on a slope or near other trees that could be affected. If the tree appears entangled with power lines, treat it as an emergency and stay away entirely. Be sure to contact your utility company to notify them immediately.
Step 2: Look for & Document Damage
Check nearby structures, fences, vehicles, and landscaping features for any signs of damage. If you see any problems that could have been caused by the falling tree or branch, take lots of pictures. These photos can help support any insurance claims and provide a record of the incident for your personal files.
Step 3: Check With Your Insurance Provider
Depending on your policy, your homeowner’s insurance may cover the removal of the tree and any damage it caused. Even if no obvious property damage occurred, it’s worth checking your policy and calling your insurance agent to be sure.
Step 4: Schedule Tree Removal & Debris Cleanup
For your safety, avoid trying to cut up or move a large tree or branch yourself. A professional tree company will remove the tree efficiently and clean up any remaining debris.
Let TreeWiseMen Help You Remove a Fallen Tree or Branch
Having a tree or a large branch fall on your home or other part of your property can be completely distressing. But you do not have to handle the situation alone. At TreeWiseMen, we offer emergency tree services and after-storm cleanup to handle even the most challenging jobs safely and efficiently. We can also assess any storm-damaged trees left standing and provide advice on how to save them and prevent future falls (such as proper tree pruning, cabling, and bracing).
Contact us today for expert tree care, and count on us to restore your peace of mind!
