Emergency Tree Removal: What to Do When a Tree Falls on Your Property

When a Tree Falls: Staying Safe in an Emergency

Living on Sydney's Northern Beaches means enjoying one of Australia's most beautiful coastal environments — but it also means dealing with the realities of storm season. From powerful north-easterly winds sweeping across Collaroy and Narrabeen to intense summer downpours hammering Dee Why and the surrounding suburbs, the Northern Beaches experiences weather events that can bring even the largest trees crashing down without warning.

A fallen tree is one of the most stressful situations a homeowner can face. Whether it has landed on your roof, blocked your driveway, brought down power lines, or simply toppled across your yard, the immediate aftermath can feel overwhelming. The decisions you make in the first minutes and hours matter enormously — for your safety, your property, and your insurance claim.

This guide walks you through exactly what to do when a tree falls on your Northern Beaches property, from the critical first steps to the insurance process and long-term prevention. At Affordable Tree Services Northern Beaches, we have responded to hundreds of emergency callouts across the region, and this advice is drawn directly from that experience.

Immediate Safety Steps When a Tree Falls

The moments following a tree fall are critical. Your immediate priority is the safety of everyone in and around the property. Follow these steps in order.

Step 1: Evacuate the Area or Structure

If a tree has struck your home, garage, or any occupied structure, evacuate everyone immediately. Do not stay inside to assess damage — structural integrity may be compromised. A tree resting on a roof can cause further collapse at any time, particularly if the wind is still blowing or the tree shifts under its own weight.

• Leave the building: Gather family members and pets and move to a safe distance
• Do not re-enter: Even if the damage appears minor, internal structural damage may not be visible
• Account for everyone: Make sure all occupants are safely out of the affected area
• Move to a neighbour's property: If your home is compromised, seek shelter nearby

Step 2: Call 000 if Anyone Is Trapped or Power Lines Are Involved

There are two situations that require an immediate Triple Zero (000) call:

• Anyone is trapped or injured: If a person is pinned under the tree or inside a damaged structure, call 000 for fire and rescue immediately. Do not attempt to lift or move the tree yourself — you could cause it to shift further
• Power lines are down or damaged: Fallen trees frequently bring down electrical lines. If you can see any wires on the ground, draped over the tree, or sparking, treat the entire area as an electrical hazard. Stay at least 8 metres away and call 000, then contact Ausgrid's emergency line on 13 13 88

Downed power lines are the single most dangerous aspect of a tree fall. Electricity can travel through wet ground, metal fences, and the tree itself. Even lines that appear dead may still be energised. Never approach, touch, or attempt to move anything near a downed power line.

Step 3: Turn Off Utilities if Safe to Do So

If you can safely access your electrical switchboard, gas meter, and water main without going near the fallen tree or damaged area, turn them off. This reduces the risk of electrical fires, gas leaks, and water damage. If your switchboard is located inside a damaged part of the building, leave it and wait for emergency services.

• Electricity: Switch off at the main circuit breaker
• Gas: Turn the gas meter valve to the off position
• Water: Shut off at the mains if pipes appear damaged

Step 4: Stay Clear of the Fallen Tree

A fallen tree is unpredictable. Branches under tension can spring back violently when disturbed. Root balls can shift, causing the entire trunk to roll or drop. Broken branches overhead — known as "hangers" or "widow-makers" — can fall at any moment.

Do not attempt to cut branches, remove debris, or climb on the tree. Do not drive over any part of the tree or its root plate. Keep bystanders, neighbours, and especially children well away from the area until a qualified arborist has assessed the situation and made it safe.

Step 5: Call a Professional Emergency Tree Service

Once everyone is safe, your next call should be to a professional emergency tree service. On the Northern Beaches, response times from a reputable emergency arborist are typically 1 to 2 hours, depending on weather conditions and demand.

When you call, provide as much detail as possible: the size of the tree, where it has fallen, whether power lines or structures are involved, and whether the area is accessible by truck. This helps the crew arrive with the right equipment.

Save our number now so you have it when you need it: 0425 350 004. Affordable Tree Services Northern Beaches provides 24/7 emergency response across all Northern Beaches suburbs.

Who to Call (and in What Order)

In the chaos following a tree fall, it helps to have a clear sequence of calls to make. Here is the recommended order:

• 1. Emergency services (000): Only if someone is trapped, injured, or power lines are involved
• 2. Ausgrid (13 13 88): If power lines are down or damaged — they will isolate the electrical supply
• 3. Emergency tree service (0425 350 004): For professional assessment, make-safe, and removal
• 4. Your insurance company: Report the incident and begin the claims process (see below)
• 5. SES (132 500): For tarping damaged roofs or emergency sandbagging during storms — note that the SES does not remove trees from private property
• 6. Northern Beaches Council: If the fallen tree is a council street tree or has blocked a public road

What to Expect from Emergency Tree Removal

Understanding the emergency tree removal process helps you know what to expect and make informed decisions during a stressful time.

Response Times on the Northern Beaches

For a single-property emergency in normal conditions, you can typically expect a response within 1 to 2 hours across the Northern Beaches. During major storm events when demand surges, response times may extend to 4 to 6 hours or longer. Reputable companies triage calls by severity — trees on occupied structures, blocking emergency access, or involving power lines receive the highest priority.

Assessment and Make-Safe Process

When the emergency crew arrives, they will first conduct a rapid assessment:

• Hazard identification: Power lines, structural damage, unstable branches, and other risks
• Access planning: Determining the safest approach to the tree
• Make-safe operations: Removing immediate hazards — such as branches threatening the home or blocking escape routes — before proceeding with full removal
• Communication: Explaining the situation, the plan, and the expected timeline and cost before proceeding

The make-safe phase is often the most critical. It involves removing the parts of the tree that pose the greatest immediate risk, such as limbs resting on a damaged roof or branches hanging over pedestrian areas. Full removal may follow immediately or be scheduled for the next day depending on conditions and complexity.

Removal Timeline

A straightforward emergency removal — a medium-sized tree that has fallen into a yard with good access — typically takes 2 to 4 hours. More complex situations, such as a large eucalyptus resting on a home with limited access, may require a full day or more, potentially with crane assistance. The arborist will give you a realistic timeline once they have assessed the scene.

Typical Emergency Removal Costs

Emergency tree removal on the Northern Beaches generally costs between $800 and $2,500 for after-hours callouts, depending on the size and complexity of the job. Key cost factors include:

• Time of callout: After-hours, weekend, and public holiday work carries a premium of 30 to 50 per cent over standard rates
• Tree size: Larger trees require more crew, equipment, and time
• Complexity: Trees on structures, near power lines, or in confined spaces cost more due to the technical difficulty and risk involved
• Equipment: Crane hire adds $800 to $2,000 to the total cost
• Stump removal: Usually quoted separately and can often wait until conditions allow

For a detailed breakdown of tree service pricing, see our tree removal cost guide and our general pricing overview. Emergency work falls at the higher end of these ranges due to urgency and after-hours rates.

Insurance Claims for Tree Damage

Understanding your insurance coverage and the claims process can save you significant stress and expense following a tree emergency.

What Is Typically Covered

Most standard home and contents insurance policies in Australia cover tree damage caused by storms, but the specifics vary between providers. Generally:

• Covered: Removal of a tree that has fallen on an insured structure (house, garage, carport, fence)
• Covered: Repair or replacement of the damaged structure
• Often covered: Removal of a tree blocking access to the property
• Sometimes covered: Removal of a tree that has fallen in the yard but not hit a structure (check your specific policy)
• Rarely covered: Preventive removal of a tree that might fall (this is considered maintenance)
• Not covered: Damage caused by a tree that was known to be dead, diseased, or hazardous and was not addressed

Documentation You Will Need

Thorough documentation from the outset significantly strengthens your insurance claim. As soon as it is safe to do so, gather the following:

• Photographs: Take extensive photos from multiple angles showing the fallen tree, all visible damage to structures, and the overall scene. Include wide shots and close-ups
• Video: Walk around the site recording a narrated video of the damage, noting the date and time
• Written notes: Record the date, approximate time of the fall, weather conditions, and what you observed
• Arborist report: Request a written report from your emergency tree service detailing the species, size, condition, and likely cause of failure. Our team provides documentation suitable for insurance claims as standard with every emergency callout
• Receipts and invoices: Keep all receipts for emergency tree work, temporary accommodation, and any temporary repairs
• Before photos: If you have any prior photos of your property showing the tree and structures before the damage, these are extremely valuable

For complex situations, a formal arborist report can provide the professional documentation your insurer requires to process the claim smoothly.

Common Insurance Claim Pitfalls

Avoid these mistakes that commonly lead to reduced or denied claims:

• Cleaning up before documenting: Never remove debris or begin repairs before thoroughly photographing and recording everything
• Delaying notification: Report the incident to your insurer as soon as possible — most policies require notification within a specified period
• Disposing of evidence: Keep sections of the tree and any damaged materials until your insurer has inspected or approved disposal
• Unauthorised repairs: Check with your insurer before authorising permanent repairs. Emergency make-safe work to prevent further damage is generally approved
• Accepting the first offer: If the settlement seems insufficient, request a reassessment or engage a loss assessor
• Neglecting maintenance history: Insurers may investigate whether the tree showed prior signs of failure. Regular professional tree inspections demonstrate responsible maintenance

Preventing Tree Emergencies

The best emergency is the one that never happens. Proactive tree management significantly reduces the likelihood of a catastrophic tree failure on your property.

Pre-Storm Pruning

Professional crown thinning before storm season reduces wind resistance by up to 40 per cent, dramatically lowering the risk of tree failure during high winds. This is particularly important for properties in exposed coastal locations across Collaroy, Narrabeen, and Dee Why where wind speeds are highest.

Pre-storm pruning typically costs $300 to $1,000 per tree — a fraction of the $800 to $2,500 or more you would spend on emergency removal, not to mention the cost of repairing property damage. For a comprehensive guide to storm preparation, read our article on preparing your trees for storm season.

Regular Professional Inspections

Annual inspections by a qualified arborist can identify potential failure points long before they become emergencies. An arborist will assess structural integrity, root stability, deadwood, disease, and other risk factors. Trees within falling distance of your home, driveway, or other high-use areas should be a priority for inspection.

Our tree pruning and maintenance services include a thorough assessment of each tree before any work begins, giving you ongoing insight into the health and safety of your trees.

Know Your Trees

Some tree species are more prone to failure than others. On the Northern Beaches, tall eucalyptus species — while iconic — can shed heavy limbs without warning, particularly during drought stress followed by heavy rain. Older planted pines, Cocos palms with dead fronds, and shallow-rooted species near saturated soil all present elevated risk during storm events.

If you are unsure about any tree on your property, a professional assessment is always worthwhile. Call us on 0425 350 004 to arrange a no-obligation inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Tree Removal

Who pays for removing a tree that falls from a neighbour's property onto mine?

In most cases, your own home insurance covers the removal of a tree that falls onto your property, regardless of where the tree originated. However, if you can demonstrate that the neighbour was aware the tree was hazardous and failed to act, you may have grounds to claim against their insurance or seek compensation. Document everything and consult your insurer for specific advice on your situation.

What do I do if a council tree falls on my property?

Contact Northern Beaches Council immediately. Council is generally responsible for the removal of council-owned street trees and may also be liable for damage caused by trees they were responsible for maintaining. Document all damage before any cleanup occurs and lodge a formal claim with council.

Do you provide after-hours emergency tree services?

Yes. Affordable Tree Services Northern Beaches provides 24/7 emergency response across all Northern Beaches suburbs. Call us on 0425 350 004 at any time. After-hours callouts are subject to a premium, but we always provide a clear quote before commencing work.

Should I wait for my insurer to approve before getting the tree removed?

For genuine emergencies — where the tree poses an immediate safety risk, is on an occupied structure, or is blocking essential access — you should proceed with make-safe work immediately and notify your insurer as soon as practical. Most policies explicitly allow emergency make-safe expenditure without prior approval. However, for non-urgent removal (a tree lying in your yard that is not threatening structures), it is advisable to contact your insurer first.

Can emergency tree situations be prevented?

While you cannot prevent every tree failure, regular professional maintenance dramatically reduces the risk. Pre-storm pruning, deadwood removal, and annual arborist inspections are the most effective preventive measures. Properties in high-exposure areas of the Northern Beaches — particularly Collaroy, Narrabeen, and Dee Why — benefit most from proactive tree management. Read our storm preparation guide for detailed advice.

How much does emergency tree removal cost on the Northern Beaches?

Emergency tree removal typically costs between $800 and $2,500 for after-hours callouts, depending on the size of the tree, complexity of the situation, and equipment required. Crane-assisted removals and trees on structures are at the higher end of this range. We always provide a clear quote before starting work, even in emergency situations. For full pricing details, see our tree removal cost guide.

Be Prepared Before the Next Storm

Emergency tree situations are stressful, but being prepared makes an enormous difference. Save the number of a trusted emergency tree service in your phone now — before you need it. Review your home insurance policy to understand your coverage. And most importantly, invest in preventive tree care to reduce the risk of a tree emergency on your property.

Affordable Tree Services Northern Beaches has been providing emergency tree response across the Northern Beaches since 1995. Our experienced arborists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with typical response times of 1 to 2 hours. Whether you are dealing with a tree emergency right now or want to prepare your property before storm season, contact our team or call 0425 350 004.