Key Takeaways
If you have a tree fallen on house, act fast but do not rush into the danger area. In Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex, East Hants Arborists Ltd can help make the site safe after everyone is out.
- Evacuate the property immediately after a tree falls, avoid power lines, contact emergency services on 999, then call your insurance company and a certified arborist.
- Stay well clear of any fallen or damaged power lines and follow instructions from the electricity network operator or emergency services.
- Your own insurance provider usually handles property damage first, whether the tree came from your garden, neighbour’s land, someone else’s land or public land.
- Document damage with photos and videos before moving any debris; insurance adjusters assess damage before tree removal where safe.
- Regular inspections, pruning and removing dead wood reduce the risk of another fall during high winds.
Immediate Steps When a Tree Falls on Your House
For the first 30–60 minutes, safety comes before repair or restoration. Proceed safely and do not attempt to remove the tree yourself; trees can weigh several tons and pose serious risks.
Account for everyone, keep pets away, and leave rooms under a damaged roof or sagging structure. Do not approach the tree until professionals assess its stability, especially if large branches, large limbs, glass, plumbing, or electrics are involved.
Check for downed power lines before re-entering the property. Never touch wood, fencing or water near cables. Contact emergency services if there are injuries, sparks, smoke, gas smell, severe structural damage, or blocked exits. Call emergency services to report injuries or severe structural damage. Call 999 if anyone is injured or if there’s a gas leak.
If safe, shut off gas and electricity. Cover openings with tarps or boards to prevent further damage, but only from a safe position.
Who to Call First in the UK (Emergency Services, Utilities, Insurer, Arborist)
The best course is:
- 999 for immediate danger, injury, fire or collapse risk.
- 105, or your utility company, for arcing or fallen power lines.
- Your home insurance company to start your insurance claim process as soon as possible.
- East Hants Arborists Ltd for emergency services, tree removal and make-safe work.
Give your insurance provider the time, date, weather, and full extent of visible tree damage. Do not authorise major structural repairs until the insurer confirms the next steps, but emergency works to stop further damage are normally sensible.
East Hants Arborists handles 24/7 emergency fallen tree work across Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex, including trees on a house, garage, conservatory, driveway or access route.
Documenting Tree Damage for Your Insurance Company
Thorough evidence is crucial. Document the damage for insurance claims after ensuring safety, and document all damage for your insurance claim before clearance begins.
Take photos and videos of:
- the fallen tree, trunk, branch points and root plate
- broken tiles, holes in the roof, smashed windows and damaged fences
- interior leaks, ceilings, carpets and contents
- landmarks proving the location and extent of damage caused
Keep a timeline: “Tree fell at 02:15 on 9 June 2026 during storms and high winds.” Record every contact, report, invoice and quote. Obtaining detailed quotes from contractors for repairs is recommended. Keep invoices from professionals, including arborists, scaffolders and roofers.
Most homeowners insurance covers damage from fallen trees, but check your policy for coverage details on tree removal; many insurers expect professional tree removal and felling services to manage dangerous stems safely. Insurance may cover tree removal if it damages property or is blocking access.
Who Is Responsible When a Tree Falls? (Your Land, Neighbour, Public Land)
Responsibility usually follows where the standing tree grew and whether the tree owner took reasonable tree care.
| Where the tree stood | Who is generally responsible? |
| Your land | Homeowners are responsible for fallen trees on their property; insurance may cover repair. |
| Neighbour’s garden | If a neighbour’s tree falls and there is no negligence, each property owner typically claims through their own insurance. Liability may arise if the tree owner failed to take reasonable care of a known or reasonably discoverable defect. |
| Public land | Local councils manage fallen trees on public land. |
A healthy tree blown over by a natural storm may be treated as an “act of god”, so your insurer may pay first. But negligence in tree maintenance can affect liability for damage. If the tree was dead, showed disease, had obvious decay, or ignored written warnings, the owner may be held responsible.
Document the ownership of the tree to determine liability, using title plans, photos and boundary evidence.
Legal Duties, Negligence and Tree Ownership in the UK
Tree owners must regularly inspect for disease or damage, including serious issues such as ash dieback disease management. UK duty of care means landowners should manage trees that could create risk to neighbours, roads, public land and buildings.
Courts and insurers may ask whether regular inspections were arranged, especially for large trees near power lines, access roads or a house. Keep arborist reports and maintenance notes.
Boundary trees can be complicated. If in doubt, get advice from Citizens Advice, a solicitor or your insurer before cutting a tree on neighbour’s land or someone else’s land.
Special Situations: Power Lines, Roads, Rental Properties and Commercial Sites
A fallen tree touching cables is an emergency. Only the electricity distributor and trained contractor teams should deal with it; see Power Cut 105 and consider using qualified tree surgeons in Hampshire once the network operator confirms it is safe.
For public roads, contact the local authority. For a private driveway, shared access or estate road, the affected owners or manager usually arrange clearance, often using professional tree surgeons in Sussex or nearby if you are in that area.
At rental homes, landlords usually handle structure, roof and major tree safety, while tenants may have garden duties in the tenancy; comprehensive tree surgery services in Hampshire can support both. Commercial sites, schools and estates should have surveys and emergency plans.
Protected Trees, TPOs and Conservation Areas After a Tree Falls
A protected tree may still need permission after storm damage. Tree Preservation Orders and conservation area rules can restrict cutting, lopping and complete removal; see the government’s TPO guidance.
Emergency work to remove immediate danger is usually allowed, but the local authority should be notified quickly with photos and arborist notes. Do not cut beyond what is necessary for safety without permission.
How East Hants Arborists Handles Emergency Fallen Trees
East Hants Arborists Ltd is a fully insured tree surgery contractor, established in 2019 by experienced arborists, working across Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex.
Our job is to make the site safe without causing unnecessary further damage, using specialist rigging and professional tree climbing techniques. The process is simple:
- phone triage and safety questions
- rapid site visit where possible
- risk assessment of the tree, roof and access
- controlled dismantling using rigging, cranes or MEWPs where required
- written quotes, photos and notes for the insurance adjuster
We can also help with stump grinding, crown reduction of weakened trees, pruning, hedge cutting and clearance services and follow-up surveys.
Preventing Future Tree Damage: Inspections, Pruning and Surveys
Not every storm fall can be prevented, but regular tree inspections can prevent unexpected falls. Consult a tree care professional before major weather events if you are concerned, and remember that experienced tree surgeons working safely in wet weather will adjust methods to suit conditions.
Look for signs of decay or disease in trees regularly, including cracks, fungal growth, leaning, soil movement and dead wood. Remove dead wood regularly to reduce falling risks; professional deadwood removal makes trees safer during storms. Crown reduction by qualified arborists and selective pruning can reduce wind loading before storms.
East Hants Arborists provides tree surveys for homes, insurers, estates and commercial sites, helping you show proactive responsibility and plan emergency tree work after storms.
Frequently Asked Questions
If my neighbour’s tree falls on my house, whose insurance pays?
Usually, your own buildings insurance pays for your house first. If negligence is clear, your insurer may pursue recovery from the neighbour or their insurer.
Do I have to remove a fallen tree if it is not causing damage?
Not always. If it is safe, not blocking access and not causing structural damage, removal may be optional. Your insurance cover may not pay for cosmetic clearance.
What if a tree falls from public land onto my property?
Ensure everyone’s safety, document the damage, notify your insurer and contact the council or relevant body. Avoid removing major debris unless access or safety demands it.
Can I do emergency work on a protected tree that has fallen?
Yes, if there is immediate danger, but keep evidence and notify the council. East Hants Arborists can help prepare the required documentation.
How long does it take to remove a tree from a house?
Small jobs may take hours; large trunks across roofs, power lines or outbuildings may take a day or more. Contact East Hants Arborists for a realistic emergency estimate.
If a tree has fallen on your property in Hampshire, Surrey or West Sussex, contact East Hants Arborists Ltd by phone or online enquiry for fast, insured emergency tree services.