Immediate action guide
Tree Service Emergency Action Steps
What to do right now before a tree service arrives, with clear lines for 911, utility, and contractor calls.
First rule
If there is fire, smoke, shock, collapse risk, gas odor, carbon monoxide alarm, injury, trapped people, or any uncertainty about safety, leave the area and call 911. Use these steps only when you can act from a safe position.
E1
Tree on House
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the impact area, attic below, exterior wall, and nearby rooms.
- Evacuate rooms under the tree and keep everyone away from cracked walls or ceilings.
- Close interior doors and place buckets only if leaks are reachable from safe rooms.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call 911 for structural danger, then a tree service and roofer after the area is cleared.
Do not do this
- - Do not climb a ladder, roof, tree, fence, or damaged structure during the emergency.
- - Do not cut limbs resting on a house or tangled with other branches.
E2
Limb on Power Line
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the line, tree, fence, vehicles, and wet ground nearby.
- Stay far back and keep people and pets away from the tree and anything touching it.
- Block the area from a distance; warn neighbors without touching gates, fences, or branches.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call 911 for a downed or arcing line, then the electric utility before any tree crew.
Do not do this
- - Do not touch the tree, branch, fence, vehicle, or ground wire near the line.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E3
Split Trunk After Storm
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the split trunk, canopy, driveway, sidewalk, and nearby structure.
- Keep people out of the fall zone and move vehicles only if they are outside it.
- Mark a wide perimeter and avoid pulling branches or tying the trunk.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a tree service and describe lean direction, cracks, wires, and blocked access.
Do not do this
- - Do not climb a ladder, roof, tree, fence, or damaged structure during the emergency.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E4
Hanging Branch Over Walkway
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the hanging branch, walkway, porch, driveway, and door below.
- Close the walkway or entry and use another route until the branch is removed.
- Put cones, tape, furniture, or a vehicle outside the fall zone to redirect foot traffic.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a tree service; mention if the branch is cracked, suspended, or over a public sidewalk.
Do not do this
- - Do not climb a ladder, roof, tree, fence, or damaged structure during the emergency.
- - Do not pull a hanging branch with rope or a vehicle.
E5
Uprooted Tree Blocking Exit
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the blocked exit, root ball, walkway, and nearby utilities.
- Use another exit if available and keep people away from the root ball and leaning trunk.
- If exits are limited, keep a phone with you and avoid moving the tree yourself.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call 911 if egress is blocked, then tree service after responders address access.
Do not do this
- - Do not cut roots or trunk sections while the tree is unstable.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.