First 10 minutes: what to do when a tree is on your house
- 1
Get everyone out of the affected rooms and away from the impact area — sagging ceilings and roof structure can give way without warning.
- 2
If anyone is hurt, or you smell gas or see sparking wires, call 911 first, then leave the house.
- 3
Do not go into the attic or onto the roof, and stay clear of any part of the tree touching a power line — treat every downed line as live.
- 4
Shut off electricity to damaged areas at the breaker only if you can do it safely and dry; otherwise leave it and call your utility.
- 5
From a safe spot, photograph the damage widely and up close — this starts your insurance claim.
- 6
Call 1 Tree Emergency at (866) 320-7003. We answer 24/7 and dispatch a crew to secure and remove the tree.
A tree through the roof is an emergency — we treat it like one.
When a tree comes down on a house, two clocks start at once: the structural clock (a loaded roof, cracked rafters, and an opening to the weather) and the insurance clock (your policy expects you to prevent further damage). Our job is to stop both from getting worse — fast.
Our certified arborists stabilize the tree, tarp or board up the opening to keep water out, and remove the tree in controlled sections so nothing shifts onto the structure. We work around the clock, in any weather, because a tree on a house rarely waits for daylight.
We also document everything as we go — photos, measurements, and an arborist's notes — so your claim moves faster and you're not left proving what happened after the fact.
Roof opening tarped, tree craned off in sections, no secondary damage
We respond in minutes, not hours
Our network of certified arborists is on standby 24/7 to handle any tree emergency. From fallen trees to dangerous limbs, we provide rapid response to protect your property.
Why Choose Us
- Certified Experts
All our arborists are certified and fully insured
- Rapid Response
Average response time under 30 minutes
- Insurance Specialists
We handle all insurance paperwork for you
How our emergency response works
Clear steps. Fast action. Zero guesswork.
How We Handle Your Tree Emergency
Our streamlined process ensures quick response and efficient resolution of your tree emergency
Step :You Call, We Answer
Call (866) 320-7003 any hour. A live person — not a machine — takes your address and the situation and dispatches the nearest crew.
Step :Rapid Dispatch
A certified arborist and crew roll out with climbing gear, rigging, and a crane when the pick requires it. Emergency arrivals are typically 1–2 hours.
Step :Make It Safe
We assess the load path, coordinate with the utility if lines are involved, and stabilize the tree so it can't shift onto the structure.
Step :Tarp / Board-Up
Before full removal we tarp the roof opening or board up the wall so wind and rain can't add to the damage while we work.
Step :Controlled Removal
We lower or crane the tree off the house piece by piece — never dragging or dropping weight onto compromised structure.
Step :Cleanup
We chip, buck, and haul the debris, then sweep the site so the only thing left is the repair your contractor needs to make.
Step :Insurance Packet
Photos, measurements, and arborist notes go into a documentation packet and we coordinate directly with your carrier.
What we bring to a tree-on-house call
Crane-Assisted Removal
For heavy trunks over living space, a crane lifts each section straight up and away — the safest way to take weight off a damaged roof.
Emergency Tarping & Board-Up
We seal the opening immediately so the interior stays dry and your claim isn't complicated by preventable water damage.
Certified Arborists
Every removal is planned and supervised by a credentialed arborist who reads the load, lean, and structure before a cut is made.
Insurance Documentation
Scene photos, measurements, and written cause-of-damage notes formatted for your homeowners claim.
Our removals are led by ISA Certified Arborists. Around downed or damaged power lines, always follow your electric utility and the Electrical Safety Foundation — never approach a line yourself.
Insurance when a tree falls on your house
When a tree damages an insured structure — your house, an attached garage, a fence — homeowners policies typically cover both the removal and the repair, subject to your deductible. Coverage for a tree that falls with no structural damage varies by policy.
The key is documentation and prompt mitigation: carriers expect you to prevent further damage (that's what our emergency tarping does) and to show what happened. We photograph and measure everything and coordinate with your adjuster so the claim moves quickly.
Learn more about our insurance claim support for tree damage — we document the scene and coordinate directly with your carrier.
Frequently Asked Questions
A tree fell on my house — who do I call first?
If anyone is injured, or there's gas or downed power lines, call 911 first. Otherwise, call an emergency tree service like 1 Tree Emergency at (866) 320-7003 — we're available 24/7 to secure the tree, tarp the opening, and remove it. Call your insurer once everyone is safe; we can start the documentation for you.
How fast can you get a tree off my roof?
For a tree on a structure, our crews typically arrive within 1–2 hours, day or night. We stabilize and tarp immediately, then remove the tree in controlled sections. The full removal timeline depends on size and access, but stopping further damage happens first.
Does homeowners insurance cover a tree falling on my house?
Most homeowners policies cover removal and repair when a tree damages an insured structure, subject to your deductible. Coverage for a tree that falls without hitting a structure varies. We document the scene thoroughly and coordinate with your carrier to support the claim.
Should I remove the tree myself before the crew arrives?
No. A tree loaded against a roof is under tension and can shift violently when cut. Leave it to a certified arborist with proper rigging or a crane. The safest thing you can do is keep people out of the affected rooms and away from any lines.
What if the tree is on power lines and the house?
Stay at least 50 feet from the tree and any lines, keep everyone away from exterior walls and anything metal, and call 911 and your electric utility. We coordinate with the utility to de-energize the lines before we begin removal — we never work an energized line.
Related Tree Emergencies We Handle
Facing a different situation? We respond to every kind of tree emergency, 24/7:
What Happens Next
From the first call to a closed insurance claim, here's how we help:
From Our Blog
Practical guides from our certified arborists:
Get Emergency Help Now
We're available 24/7. Call (866) 320-7003 or request service below.
Get in Touch
Our team is available 24/7 to respond to your emergency or answer any questions
Contact Information
Location
254 Prospect Ave, Hartford, CT, 06106
Serving clients nationwide