Emergency Tree Removal: What to Do When a Tree Falls on Your Property

A tree falling on your property doesn't give you any warning. One storm, one weakened root, one wrong gust — and suddenly there's a large tree across your driveway, against your roof, or blocking your fence line. Here's what to do, in the right order, to keep people safe and protect your property from further damage.

Step 1: Get Everyone Clear of the Area

Before anything else — people and pets away from the tree and the impact zone. A fallen tree under tension can shift, roll, or drop additional branches with no warning. The danger zone extends well beyond the trunk itself: any branches still in the canopy, any limbs resting against a structure, and any roots that have pulled from the ground can all move unpredictably.

Do not attempt to move the tree or pull branches off a structure yourself. Chainsaws and amateur rigging under a loaded tree cause serious injuries every year.

Step 2: Check for Immediate Hazards

Once people are clear, scan for secondary hazards:

• Downed power lines — If a tree has pulled down utility lines, treat every wire as live. Don't approach it. Call Rocky Mountain Power (1-888-221-7070) immediately and keep everyone at least 50 feet away.
• Gas lines — If you smell gas near the impact zone, evacuate the building and call your gas company. Trees falling on gas meters or service lines are more common than people expect.
• Structural compromise — If a tree is resting on your roof, don't enter the house until a professional has assessed whether the structure is compromised. What looks like a surface impact can involve broken rafters or wall framing.

Step 3: Document Everything Before Removal

This step gets skipped in the panic of the moment — and it costs people money later. Before any branch or debris is moved:

• Photograph the fallen tree from multiple angles
• Document damage to structures, vehicles, fencing, and landscaping
• Note the date, time, and weather conditions
• If the tree was on a neighbor's property, photograph that too

Your insurance company will ask for all of this. More photos is always better — you can't go back and take them after the tree is removed.

Step 4: Call Your Insurance Company

Call your homeowner's insurance company before removal begins if at all possible. Many policies cover storm damage tree removal in Utah when a tree has damaged a structure (house, garage, fence, car). Coverage varies significantly by policy, but you generally need the insurer to document the damage before it's disturbed.

Key questions to ask your adjuster:

• Is the tree removal cost covered, or just structural repair?
• Is there a per-tree coverage limit?
• Do I need to use a specific contractor, or can I choose my own?
• What's my deductible?

If the tree fell without damaging a structure (landed in the yard, blocked the driveway but didn't hit anything), coverage is less common. But document it anyway and file a claim — you may be surprised.

Step 5: Call a Professional for Emergency Tree Removal in Utah

This is not a DIY job. A fallen tree — especially one in contact with a structure, resting on another tree, or with root plate lifted — is under complex mechanical stress. Cutting the wrong branch or trunk section releases that stress unpredictably.

A professional crew brings:

• Rigging equipment to control how sections come down
• Proper chainsaw technique for tensioned wood
• Experience assessing secondary hazards before cutting
• Insurance covering both crew and your property

We respond to emergency calls across West Jordan, Salt Lake City, Herriman, South Jordan, Riverton, Draper, and surrounding communities. Call 801-913-6485 or request emergency service online.

Step 6: Temporary Protection While You Wait

If a tree has damaged your roof and the weather isn't cooperating, temporary tarping can protect against water intrusion until the tree can be safely removed. Some emergency restoration companies offer tarping as a standalone service. If you can safely access the area, a large plastic tarp and some weight or fasteners can buy you time.

Do not attempt to tarp around a tree that's still resting on the structure — movement could cause secondary damage or injury.

After the Tree Is Gone: Assess the Risk of Other Trees

When one tree fails, it's worth asking why — and whether other trees on your property have the same underlying issues. Root rot, soil conditions, and wind exposure tend to affect multiple trees on the same property.

Ask your tree service crew to assess any other trees that may be at risk while they're on-site. It's a good time to do it — you're already paying for the visit, and catching the next problem before it falls is always cheaper. Read our article on signs a tree needs emergency removal to know what to look for.

When a Neighbor's Tree Falls on Your Property

This comes up frequently in Utah's older neighborhoods with large, mature trees. The general rule: your homeowner's insurance covers damage to your property regardless of where the tree came from. Liability only shifts to the neighbor if you can demonstrate they were notified of a known hazard and failed to act.

Don't let the ownership question delay emergency response — get the tree off your property first, document everything, and sort out the insurance questions with your adjuster afterward.

— Strategic Tree Experts Team

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Frequently Asked Questions