Trees are a beautiful part of our Connecticut landscape, but when they fall, they can cause serious problems. Whether it’s a whole tree or just a large branch, the impact can range from a minor inconvenience to a major emergency.
Sometimes, a fallen tree might damage your home, business, car, or driveway. In these cases, quick action is needed for safety and to prevent further damage. Other times, you might be dealing with trees on power lines, blocking roads, or simply sprawled across your lawn.
No matter the situation, a fallen tree or large branch needs proper handling. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common scenarios southern Connecticut property owners face when trees come down. We’ll cover what to do, who to call, and how to keep yourself and your property safe.
Key Takeaways:
- Focus on safety when a tree falls on your property. If it lands on your home or business, evacuate the building and never attempt to remove a fallen tree on your home by yourself.
- Call a professional 24/7 emergency tree service immediately for safe and swift removal of fallen trees or large branches.
- Document the damage thoroughly with photos for insurance purposes before the tree removal company arrives.
- Contact your insurance provider to file a claim as soon as possible after the incident.
- Take preventative measures by having a certified arborist inspect and prune your trees regularly to identify and address potential hazards before they cause damage.
How to Handle a Tree or Branch That Fell onto Your Home or Business
A tree crashing onto your home or business is every property owner’s nightmare. It’s scary, dangerous, and can cause serious damage. If you find yourself in this situation, follow these five steps:
1. Safety First: What to Do When a Tree Falls
When a tree comes down on your property, your immediate focus should be safety:
- Check on everyone. Make sure all people and pets are safe and accounted for. If anyone’s hurt, call 911 immediately.
- Stay alert. The situation might not be over. Fallen trees can be unstable, especially during a storm. More branches could fall at any moment.
- Hands off. Don’t try to remove any part of the tree yourself. It’s not safe and should be left to professionals.
- Watch for power lines. If you see any downed lines, stay far away and call your utility company right away.
- Get out safely. Unless it’s a very small tree with no immediate danger, evacuate the building if you can do so safely.
- Wait for the all-clear. Don’t go back inside until professionals have checked and declared it safe.
Your safety is more important than your property. Property can be repaired, but people can’t be replaced. When in doubt, stay out.
2. Call Your Local 24/7 Emergency Tree Service for Swift Removal
Once you are in a safe location, call your local emergency tree removal service. For home and business owners in Fairfield County and New Haven County, CT, that’s us at Rayzor’s Edge Tree Service.
Call us 24/7 at 203-258-5584. Our team prioritizes emergency situations and we’ll do our best to arrive in a timely manner to help you prevent further damage to your home and to minimize service interruption for your business.
Note that during storms, many other property owners are likely making the same call. Be patient as you call and again as you await their arrival.
What if your neighbor’s tree fell onto your property? In most cases, if the tree was perfectly healthy, it’s still your responsibility to clean up the damage caused by the tree. The exception is if the tree was already dead, dying, or damaged. In that case, the property owner should have taken preventive action, knowing that the tree was a safety hazard. They may be held liable for damages to your property as a result of the tree falling or breaking apart.
3. Document the Damage for Insurance Purposes
As you await the arrival of the tree removal company, take some time to document the damage for your insurance company – but only if it is safe to do so.
When you file an insurance claim for fallen tree damage, your insurance company will likely ask you for photos. Take lots of pictures of the tree or branch, the building inside and out, and the entire property. The more photos you can provide, the better.
4. Have the Tree or Branch Professionally Removed
Once the emergency tree service arrives, allow them to get to work and remove the tree quickly and safely. Depending on the size of the tree and the extent of the damage, a crane may be necessary to aid in the removal process. Keep your driveway or parking lots free of vehicles to make space for the tree removal equipment.
If you hired a TCIA accredited tree service company, with Connecticut-licensed arborists and Certified Tree Care Safety Professionals on staff (like us at Rayzor’s Edge Tree Service), you should also have them inspect the other trees on your property. If a storm was powerful enough to knock one tree over, it could have easily damaged other trees.
This is also a good time to prune damaged, hazardous branches or remove other trees that may be at risk of falling.
WARNING: Fallen tree removal is not a DIY job. The danger of fallen trees can’t be understated, as they are usually under incredible stress. When cutting and removing branches or sections of the trunk, the remaining tree can react in violent and unexpected ways, causing injury or death to anyone nearby. Stay safe and leave emergency tree removal to professionals.
5. Contact Your Insurance Company
As soon as you’re able, contact your insurance provider and file a claim. They’ll send out an adjuster to survey the damage and provide guidance for how you can repair your home and landscape.
What to Do if a Tree or Branch Falls onto Power Lines
Trees and power lines are not a good combination. Trees and branches falling onto power lines is one of the most common causes of power outages in Connecticut.
Never approach downed power lines.
Report a Power Outage or Downed Power Line
Call your power company immediately to report the incident. United Illuminating is the primary electricity provider in much of Fairfield and New Haven counties, although Eversource Energy serves some areas and there are smaller companies in scattered locations. Not sure who to call? This helpful guide to Connecticut utility providers lists all utility companies by town.
Report an outage to United Illuminating online or call 800-7-CALL-UI (800-722-5584).
Report an outage to Eversource Energy
Trees or branches that are entangled in power lines can lead to potential fire or electrocution issues, so it’s always best to play it safe by calling 911 as well.
When a Fallen Tree Blocks the Road: What to Do
If a tree or large branch falls onto a public road, here’s how to handle it:
- Check with your local government first. They’re often responsible for clearing public roads, regardless of where the tree came from. This could save you money.
- Look up the right department to call. Each city handles this differently. For instance, in some places, such as Orange, CT, you’d call the Highway Department. Check your local government’s website for the correct contact information.
- Consider timing. After a big storm, local services might be overwhelmed. If you need the road cleared quickly, a private tree service like Rayzor’s Edge Tree Service might be faster.
If the fallen tree is creating a dangerous situation, don’t wait – call for professional help right away.
Blockquote Need quick action on a road-blocking tree? Give us a call at 203-258-5584. We’re here to help keep Connecticut’s roads safe and clear.
How to Deal with a Tree that Falls in Your Yard
Sometimes, we get lucky. A fallen tree might miss your house, power lines, and roads, landing instead on your lawn or garden. While it’s never good to lose a tree, this scenario at least avoids major damage and costly repairs.
If you find yourself with a fallen tree in your yard, here’s what to consider:
- Check for collateral damage. Did the tree hit others on its way down? Even if it just brushed another tree, there could be hidden damage. It’s wise to have a certified arborist inspect nearby trees to make sure they’re still safe and stable.
- Don’t delay removal. Even if the fallen tree didn’t cause immediate damage, leaving it can create problems. It can kill your grass, pose risks to kids and pets, and might shift unexpectedly. Quick removal lets you replant and restore your landscape sooner.
- Assess the job size. For smaller trees lying flat, you might be able to handle the removal yourself with a chainsaw and proper safety gear. But for large, mature trees, it’s best to call in the professionals. Even on the ground, big trees can be tricky and dangerous to break down.
Safety always comes first. If you’re unsure about handling tree removal yourself, it’s always better to contact experts who have the right tools and experience to do the job safely.
After the Tree or Large Branch Falls: Next Steps for Your Property
When a tree or large branch comes down, there’s more to consider than just removal. Here are some practical next steps:
- Put the wood to good use. Cut and stack fallen branches or logs for firewood – they’ll be ready in 6-12 months. If you have a stump ground, use the wood chips as mulch. Or, if you’re working with us at Rayzor’s Edge, we can haul everything away, leaving your property clean and tidy.
- Fill the gap. Don’t leave a hole where your tree once stood. Plant a new tree, lay sod, or add other plants. You might need to add some topsoil first to level things out.
- Think prevention. Now’s a good time to protect your other trees. Have a professional arborist check your property and prune your trees. This can help spot and fix potential hazards before they cause problems.
Quick Action Keeps Your Property Safe
Fallen trees and branches need immediate attention. If anything has fallen on your home, car, driveway, or the road, don’t wait – call us right away at 203-258-5584. We offer 24/7 emergency tree removal.
Want to be proactive? Schedule a pruning service with us today. We’ll help keep your trees healthy and your property safe. Give us a call or visit our website to set up an appointment.
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