First, make sure everyone is safe and keep your distance from the tree, especially if any wires are down. Then look at what the tree hit, take photos, and get help moving it rather than cutting it yourself.
Check for Hazards From a Distance
Before walking up to a fallen tree, scan the area for power lines. Any wire on the ground or in the branches should be treated as live. If you see one, keep people and pets away and call the electric utility or 911.
Even without wires, a fallen tree may not be done moving. Branches pinned under the trunk can be bent under heavy tension and snap back when disturbed. Avoid climbing on the trunk or pulling at limbs.
Take Stock of the Damage
Once the area is safe to look at, note everything the tree touched:
- Roof, gutters, and siding
- Fences, sheds, and play equipment
- Vehicles in the driveway
- Walkways and the driveway itself
- Neighboring property
Take photos from several angles before anything is moved. If the tree hit the house, check inside for leaks or cracked ceilings. Many homeowners also contact their insurance company early, since photos and notes taken right away can help later.
Getting the Tree Moved
Cutting up a fallen tree is not a simple chainsaw job. Wood under tension, uneven ground, and damaged structures make it risky for anyone without experience. If the tree is resting on your home or blocking access, emergency tree help can focus on the parts causing the most urgent trouble first.
If it fell into open lawn and hit nothing, the cleanup is usually less pressing and can often be scheduled.
What Comes After
Once the trunk and branches are cleared, you may still have a torn-up root plate, a stump, and piles of wood and brush. How that material is handled should be agreed before the work starts. If part of the tree is still standing and badly damaged, tree removal may need to be discussed separately.
Keep in mind that the ground where a tree fell may be soft or torn up, and the hole left by the root plate can be deep. Keep children from playing near it until it’s filled or blocked off. If the tree came from a neighbor’s yard, talk with them early and share your photos. Sorting out who handles what is easier when everyone is looking at the same information.
If a tree has just come down in your yard, call 817-587-4286 once everyone is safe and describe where it fell and what it hit.
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