What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Tree Falls on Your Property

Check for Immediate Danger First

Before anything else, look for downed power lines near the tree or its branches. Never approach a fallen tree that's touching or even close to power lines. Treat every line as live until Ausgrid confirms it's safe, and call emergency services immediately if you spot one down.

If the tree has damaged your home structurally (a hole in the roof, a cracked wall, a compromised ceiling), keep everyone out of the affected area until it's been properly assessed. Structural damage isn't always obvious from the outside.

Don't Attempt DIY Chainsaw Work

It's tempting to grab a chainsaw and start clearing the mess yourself, particularly if the tree is blocking a driveway or path. Resist it. A fallen tree is often under tension in ways that aren't obvious, with branches bent or trapped under weight. Cutting into a tensioned limb can cause it to spring back violently, and this is one of the leading causes of serious injury during storm clean-up. Leave anything beyond small, loose debris to a professional crew with the right training and equipment.

Photograph the Damage for Insurance

Contact Your Insurer Early

Get in touch with your insurance provider as soon as you reasonably can, even if you're not sure yet what the claim will look like. Many policies have processes specifically for storm damage, and starting the conversation early tends to make the rest of the process faster.

Call for Emergency Tree Removal

Once the immediate safety risks are managed, the next step is getting the tree safely removed. For anything more than a small, isolated branch, this is a job for a fully insured tree removal crew that can assess the tension, weight distribution, and any hazards before starting work. Bob & Ben The Tree Men offer a 24-hour emergency response line for exactly this situation, so you're not stuck waiting days with a tree blocking access to your property.

For Large Trees Over Structures or Driveways

If the tree has come down across a structure, a car, or in a position that's difficult to access safely, standard removal methods may not be enough on their own. In these cases, crane hire is often the safest and fastest way to lift and remove the tree without causing further damage to the property underneath it.

Once the fallen tree and its debris have been cleared, it's worth having the rest of the property checked, particularly any other large trees that may have been weakened by the same storm. If there's a significant amount of green waste or offcuts left behind, land clearing services can take care of the full clean-up in one visit rather than leaving you to deal with it piece by piece.

Storm damage isn't always limited to the tree that fell. If you'd like peace of mind that the rest of your property is safe, Bob & Ben The Tree Men are available 24/7 for emergency response and follow-up assessments.