Keep people away first
Your first job is safety, not clearing up. Keep everyone, including children and pets, well away from the fallen tree and any branches still hanging in neighbouring trees. A tree that has come down can be under tension, and trunks and limbs may shift without warning. If the tree has blocked a road or pavement, or is leaning on a building, let the council or the relevant authority know so that people can be warned.
If the tree has fallen across a driveway and you need to get out, resist the urge to drag it clear. Wait until someone can assess how the weight is sitting, because a trunk resting on a fence, wall or another tree can move suddenly once it is disturbed. Wait for the wind to ease before going outside to look, because more branches often come down once a storm has passed its peak. If the tree is in a shared alley or beside a neighbour's house, warn them as well.
Look out for cables and gas
Check whether the tree has touched or pulled down any overhead wires. Never go near a tree that is tangled in cables, and treat every wire as live. Call the electricity network operator and stay well back. If you smell gas or see damage to a pipe, leave the area and contact the gas network straight away. These are not situations for a householder or for us to attempt to handle before the utility has made things safe.
Record the damage
Once it is safe, take photographs from a distance, showing the tree, where it fell and any damage to fences, sheds, cars, walls or the house. Photographs taken before anything is moved are the most useful. Note the date and time. If the tree came from a neighbour's garden, photograph that too. Having a clear record makes conversations with neighbours and with your home cover provider easier, and it helps whoever clears the tree plan the job properly.
What not to attempt yourself
It is tempting to start sawing at once, but a fallen tree is more hazardous than it looks. Branches can spring back, the trunk can roll, and what remains standing may be damaged or weakened. Please do not use a chainsaw on a storm-damaged tree, climb on it or cut anything under strain. The exception is moving small loose twigs and debris well away from the main tree, and only once it is clearly safe to do so.
Whose tree is it, and who clears it
Where a tree stood decides who is responsible for it. If it grew in your garden, clearing it is normally down to you. If it came from next door, speak to your neighbour about who arranges removal, and check any paperwork. Trees on roads and public land are the council's concern. Many trees are protected by a Tree Preservation Order or conservation area status, and the council can tell you whether consent is needed, although dangerous trees may be treated differently.
If you are renting, tell your landlord or agent as soon as you can, since they may be responsible for the tree and for any repairs it has caused. A short written note of who agreed to what saves misunderstandings later, particularly where several households share a boundary. Photographs of the boundary and the fallen trunk help everyone agree what happened.
Getting the tree cleared
We can come out, assess the tree and cut it up safely, working in sections where space is tight over fences, garages and conservatories. We remove the timber and green waste, or leave logs by arrangement, and can deal with a remaining stump. Cost depends on the size of the tree, access, what it is resting on and how much waste there is, so seeing the job is the reliable way to know. If other trees look damaged, we can check those too.
Want it looked at properly?
Tell us what you have and we will arrange to visit, explain what is needed and give you a free, no-obligation quote. See our tree surgery page, or send us photos on WhatsApp.
Common Questions
Should I call the council or a tree surgeon first?
If the tree is on a road, pavement or public land, or has blocked access, call the council first. If it is in your own garden and no one is at risk, a tree surgeon can assess it. Call the utility at once if cables or pipes are involved.
Will my home policy cover a fallen tree?
That depends on your own policy and the circumstances, so read your documents or ask your provider directly. Photographs of the damage and the tree, taken before anything is moved, are valuable. Keep any invoices for clearing work, as you may be asked for them.
Can I keep the wood from the fallen tree?
Usually yes if the tree was yours. Tell us when we visit, and we can cut the timber into logs and leave it for you. If you do not want it, we take it away with the green waste, leaving the garden clear.
Do I need permission to clear a fallen protected tree?
It is worth contacting the council, because a protected tree that has fallen may still carry conditions, such as replacement planting. Dangerous trees are sometimes treated differently from healthy ones, but check first and keep your photographs as evidence of the situation.
