What to Do With a Fallen Tree and Storm Debris

A storm can leave a yard full of broken branches, scattered debris and a tree that has come down across a driveway, fence or roof. Before you think about cleanup, the first job is safety.

A fallen tree is not a normal yard project, and some situations call for a professional rather than a homeowner with a saw.

This guide walks through the general steps people commonly take after a storm, what to avoid, and the options for dealing with the wood and debris once the area is safe.

Stay clear and check for hazards

Treat every downed tree and limb as unstable until someone qualified says otherwise.

• Stay away from any tree or branch that is touching or near a power line. Treat power lines as live, and contact the electric utility or emergency services. Do not try to move anything near them.
• Keep children and pets well back from leaning trees, hanging limbs and cracked trunks. A tree under tension can move without warning.
• Watch for other hazards a storm can leave behind, such as damaged structures, loose roofing, standing water and downed wires.
• If a tree has fallen on a building, a vehicle or a person, or if anything is sparking or smoking, contact emergency services rather than approaching it.

Never cut, climb or stand under a damaged tree. That work belongs to a qualified professional with the right equipment and training.

Document the damage

Once everyone is safe, it often helps to record what happened before anything is moved.

• Take photos and short videos of the tree, the debris and any damage to your home, fence or vehicle from several angles.
• Note the date and roughly when the storm passed through.
• Keep any receipts related to emergency measures, such as temporary tarps or a hotel stay, if your insurer asks for them.

Your insurer can explain what your policy covers and what documentation they want. Coverage for tree removal and debris varies, so it is worth a call before you hire anyone.

Understand who handles what

Responsibility for a fallen tree often depends on where it stood and where it landed, and the rules differ by location.

• A tree that was on your property and fell on your property is usually your responsibility to deal with.
• A neighbor’s tree that fell onto your land, or your tree that fell onto theirs, can involve both insurance policies. Your insurer can explain how they typically handle it.
• If a tree is blocking a public road or a sidewalk, contact your city or county. They usually handle trees in the public right of way.
• If a tree is leaning over a power line, contact the electric utility. They deal with trees near their lines.

Because these rules depend on where you live, check with your city or county, your insurer or a qualified local professional.

Options for the wood and debris

Once a qualified professional has made the area safe, you generally have a few choices for the tree itself.

• Hire a tree service to cut up and haul away the tree and debris. This is the most hands off option and is common when the tree is large or hard to reach.
• Use a local debris pickup program, if your city or county offers one after a storm. Rules about what they take, how it must be stacked and when they collect vary, so check with your local offices.
• Keep some of the wood. Firewood, mulch or a few boards for a project are common uses, though freshly cut wood usually needs time to dry before burning.
• Ask whether anyone locally wants the wood. Some people take free logs for firewood or milling.

If you are not sure who to call, a directory such as the Emergency Tree Removal Directory homepage can help you find local tree services in your area.

When to bring in a professional

Some jobs are simply too risky or too large for a homeowner.

• The tree is large, leaning or still partly standing.
• Any part of it is near power lines, a road or a structure.
• It is hung up on another tree or under tension.
• You do not have the right equipment, or you would be working near a hazard.

A qualified local professional can assess the tree and handle the removal safely. If you are searching by region, you can look for emergency tree removal tree services in New Jersey or emergency tree removal tree services in North Carolina to see what is available near you.

Next steps

After a storm, put safety first, document the damage, and then work out who is responsible and how the debris will be handled.

• Keep everyone away from the tree and anything it touches.
• Contact the electric utility or emergency services if power lines are involved.
• Call your insurer to ask what your policy covers and what they need from you.
• Check with your city or county about debris pickup and any permits that may apply.
• Hire a qualified local professional for any cutting, climbing or work near hazards.

Taking these steps in order usually keeps the cleanup manageable and keeps everyone out of harm’s way.