Emergency Tree Service: What to Do When a Tree Fails

High winds, saturated soil, and aging trees can combine into a dangerous mix. When a tree cracks, splits, or falls unexpectedly, it can block driveways, damage roofs and fences, or threaten people and pets. Knowing what to do in those first moments can make the situation safer and less stressful.

This guide explains when a situation calls for emergency tree service, which phone calls to make in what order, and what to expect when Bay Area Tree Care arrives on site.

Quick checklist: is this a tree emergency?

In general, treat it as an emergency and call for help right away if:

• A tree or large limb has fallen on a home, vehicle, or other structure
• Branches or the trunk are resting on or pulling down power lines
• A tree is leaning suddenly or cracking and may fail at any moment
• Fallen trees are blocking your driveway, a shared access road, or emergency access
• Storm damage has left hanging or broken limbs over areas people use

If no one is in immediate danger and the tree is simply messy or partially damaged, you may not need middle-of-the-night service—but it’s still smart to schedule an evaluation soon.

1. Safety first: what to do immediately

Before you think about cleanup, focus on staying safe. Trees, power lines, and damaged structures can be unstable and unpredictable after a storm.

Right away, you should:

• Keep people and pets away from the damaged area
• Stay at least a full tree-length away from any tree that’s still moving or leaning
• Never touch or approach downed or sagging power lines—treat them as live
• Avoid climbing on roofs, fences, or vehicles that have been hit by a tree

Do not attempt to cut or move large limbs yourself with a chainsaw—especially if they’re under tension, near wires, or resting on structures.

2. Who to call first: 911, utilities, city, or tree service?

In many emergencies, more than one professional may need to be involved. The order of calls depends on what exactly has happened.

Use this general order of priority:

• Call 911 if anyone is injured, trapped, or if there is active fire, sparking wires, or immediate danger to people.
• Call your utility company if trees or branches are on power lines, service drops, or utility poles. Only the utility can de-energize lines and make them safe.
• Call your city or county if a public street, sidewalk, or city-owned tree is involved.
• Call a professional tree service—such as Bay Area Tree Care—for work on private trees, clearing driveways, and protecting your home once the scene is safe.

If you’re unsure who has responsibility, we can often help you sort that out over the phone and coordinate timing with other parties.

3. What we’ll ask when you call for emergency tree service

When you call our office or emergency line about a tree emergency, we’ll ask a few quick questions to understand the situation and prioritize the response.

Be prepared to share:

• Your name, address, and best phone number
• Whether anyone is injured or if active power lines are involved
• What the tree has hit (house, fence, vehicle, driveway, etc.)
• Whether the tree is fully down or still standing but cracked/leaning
• Any access limitations (narrow driveway, locked gates, low wires)

When possible, having photos ready to text or email can speed up our assessment and help us bring the right equipment on the first trip.

4. How emergency tree service works on site

Emergency work is different from planned maintenance. The focus is on making the scene safe and preventing further damage, often under difficult conditions.

Typical steps once our crew arrives include:

• Confirming the area is safe to enter (no live wires, gas leaks, etc.)
• Walking the site and reviewing the situation with you when possible
• Setting up cones, signs, or barriers to create a controlled work zone
• Planning cuts and rigging to prevent additional damage during removal
• Clearing priority areas first (roof penetrations, blocked driveways, access paths)

Depending on severity and conditions, we may perform temporary work to make things safe, then return later for full cleanup and stump work.

5. Temporary mitigation vs. full cleanup

In some emergencies—especially during large storms—the first goal is to stabilize the situation, not deliver a “finished landscaping” result that same night.

Emergency work may include:

• Removing or securing limbs that are actively threatening structures or people
• Opening access to driveways, garages, or private roads
• Tarpping damaged roof areas (in coordination with roofers when needed)
• Leaving large wood or debris neatly staged for later removal

Once the immediate hazard is resolved, we can schedule follow-up visits for full tree removal, stump grinding, and final cleanup.

6. Insurance and documenting the damage

Every insurance policy is different, but good documentation is helpful in almost any case. While we can’t speak for your carrier, we can help provide the information they typically ask for.

Helpful steps include:

• Taking clear photos of the tree, damage, and surrounding area from multiple angles
• Keeping records of dates, times, and weather conditions (especially during storms)
• Saving written estimates and invoices from emergency and follow-up work
• Asking us to note on the invoice that the work was emergency storm response, if applicable

Your adjuster may also want to review the site after emergency work is complete. We’re happy to answer reasonable questions about what was done and why, when appropriate.

7. After the storm: follow-up evaluation of other trees

If one tree on your property has failed, it’s a good time to have the rest of your trees checked for developing issues. Storms often reveal weaknesses that were already present.

During a follow-up evaluation, we may look for:

• Cracks, splits, or new leans in trees that are still standing
• Root heaving or soil movement near the base of large trees
• Hanging or partially broken limbs high in the canopy
• Branches now too close to roofs, service drops, or property lines

Based on what we find, we may recommend hazard tree removal, trimming & pruning, or adding structural support such as cabling & bracing.

8. Preventing future emergencies with proactive care

While no one can control the weather, many tree emergencies are preventable with regular inspections, pruning, and maintenance plans.

Long-term risk reduction often includes:

• Removing dead, diseased, or overextended limbs before storm season
• Addressing known structural issues in high-value trees
• Cleaning out canopies to reduce wind resistance in select cases
• Scheduling periodic inspections as part of quarterly & seasonal plans

Our guide on Storm Damage Prep: Protecting Your Trees Before the Wind Hits covers practical steps you can take before the next big wind event.

Emergency help now, safer trees in the future

Tree emergencies are stressful—but you don’t have to handle them alone. With experienced crews, proper equipment, and a safety-first approach, Bay Area Tree Care can help you get through the immediate crisis and then plan for longer-term tree health and safety.

If you’re currently facing a tree emergency, prioritize safety, contact the appropriate authorities for power and public hazards, and then reach out to us about emergency tree service so we can help you stabilize the situation and start the cleanup process.