Most people never think about what to do when a tree falls until it happens — and then it’s overwhelming. When a tree falls on your property, it can be a very scary situation. You wonder what to do first: Is it safe to go outside? What’s the damage? Should you call your insurance company, or an emergency tree removal service? When a tree falls on your property, making the right moves at the right time can save you a lot of hassle and money. In this article, we’re explaining what to do when a tree falls, so that you know exactly how to act if the worst happens.
Step 1: Make Safety Your First Priority
If your tree falls on your property, or power lines, you should immediately and safely evacuate the area. Be sure to keep small children and pets far away from the scene too. Don’t get too close to inspect the damage– there’s a small chance that the tree may fall further, or that a part of the structure it hit is on the brink of collapse. Don’t try to move branches or to crawl over the tree– make sure you keep a safe distance while you make your next move. A professional team– like our team at T& T Tree Service– will be trained in how to handle emergency tree removal and secure the area safely once they arrive. If the tree has taken power lines down, call the utility company as well as 911.
Step 2: Assess and Document the Damage
Knowing what to do when a tree falls can make the difference between a smooth insurance claim and weeks of stress. Before you organize emergency tree removal, take photos and videos from multiple angles if possible. This is going to be useful for your insurance company. Take a note if the tree is yours or a neighbor’s. Additionally, if any neighbors are in the unsafe area when a tree falls on your property, call them (don’t climb over any debris to get to their door), so that they can also get to a safe place. Make a written note of the time, date, and weather conditions too– this is another important piece of documentation for the insurance company.
Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Company
Before you contact a tree company– like our team at T & T Tree Service– for emergency tree removal, get in touch with your insurance company. A lot of insurers will want to approve the work before it starts. Jumping straight into calling an emergency tree removal company could leave you paying out of pocket for a service that could have been covered.
Step 4: Understand Who Is Responsible
If your tree falls on your home, your insurance is going to be the one to cover it. If a neighbor’s tree falls on your property, there are a couple different scenarios: Was the tree healthy, but felled by a storm? That’s probably going to be on your insurance company. However, if the tree was dead or diseased and the neighbors ignored the warning signs, then they may be liable.
Step 5: Call an Emergency Tree Removal Service
Whatever you do: do NOT attempt to move any large debris out of the way yourself. The proper equipment and training is required to move a tree that has fallen, and you don’t want to risk injuring yourself or causing any further damage to the property. The team that you call to take care of your emergency tree removal should be licensed and insured, have a good reputation, and offer 24/7 emergency tree removal services (like our team at T & T Tree Service). Professional teams like ours have the experience, training, and equipment to know what to do if a tree falls on your property.
Step 6: Prevent Further Damage While You Wait
If your roof is leaking,( and if it is safe to do so), you can put tarps or plastic sheets up to protect your property. Clear any vehicles or obstacles from outside your home (again, only if safe to do so) so that the team can park and have more space to maneuver their equipment.
Preventing Future Problems Before a Tree Falls on Your Property
If you have any other trees that look like they may be dead or diseased, it’s possible that one of the trees will fall on your property. Routine tree removal is a lot easier, cheaper, and less hassle than emergency tree removal. Our team at T & T Tree Service knows how to safely remove trees without undue damage to the rest of your foliage or your property. Regular maintenance, such as pruning, can actually help to reduce the need for emergency tree removal altogether. By pruning dead, diseased, or infested branches before the problem spreads, you keep the rest of your tree healthy and strong. Likewise with trimming– cutting large branches that stretch too close to your property or a power line removes the risk of them snapping, falling, and causing damage to your property.
Final Thoughts: What to Do When a Tree Falls on Your Property
No matter how stressful the situation is when a tree falls on your property, with the right steps and the right emergency tree removal company, you can limit the extent of the damage and keep as much of your property protected as possible. No matter what you do, remember the steps to follow: get yourself, kids, and pets to a safe place; take photos and make notes of what has happened, how your property is affected, the cause, and the weather (if a storm caused the tree to fall on your property). Then, contact your insurance company and, if they will let you choose your emergency tree removal service, then get in touch with a skilled, safety-conscious, and experienced team with the right equipment to handle the problem safely, efficiently, and with minimal damage.
Call Us Today For a Free Estimate
At T & T Tree Service, our team has 24/7 emergency tree removal services, so no matter what time– day or night– we’re just a phone call away. Reach out to us today if you’d like to get a free estimate for emergency tree removal– or any other tree service we can provide!