Tree Fallen in Your Garden? Here's What to Do

First things first: stay back

If a tree has come down in your garden, the most important thing is don't go anywhere near it until you've checked a few things. Even a tree that looks settled can shift suddenly, and limbs under tension can spring back with serious force when disturbed.

Check for danger immediately

Before you do anything else, check whether the tree has hit:

— Power lines. If the tree is touching, near, or has brought down any cables, treat them as live. Stay at least 10 metres away and call UK Power Networks on 105 immediately. Don't try to clear anything yourself.

— Your house, shed, or fence. If there's structural damage, don't go inside the affected area. Take photos from a safe distance for your insurance claim.

— A car or vehicle. Same again — photograph it before anything is moved.

— A neighbour's property. Have a word with them as soon as it's safe. Better they hear it from you than discover it themselves.

Is anyone hurt?

If anyone's been injured, call 999. If a tree has fallen on or blocked a road, call Essex Highways on 0345 603 7631 — they'll dispatch someone to make it safe and direct traffic.

Check your insurance

Most home insurance policies cover storm damage from fallen trees, including the cost of removal. Call your insurer before you book anyone to do the work — they may want their own contractor, or they'll want a quote first. Either way, take photos of everything before any clearance starts.

What about the tree on the boundary line?

If a tree from your neighbour's garden has fallen onto yours (or vice versa), the rule in England is generally that the owner of the tree is responsible for damage — but only if they could reasonably have foreseen it. A healthy tree that fell in an exceptional storm is usually classed as an act of nature. A clearly dead or rotten tree that was ignored is a different story. If in doubt, get a tree surgeon to assess and document it before clearance.

When to call us

Once the area is safe and your insurer's been informed, that's where we come in. We handle emergency tree clearance across Hockley, Hullbridge, Rayleigh, Rochford and the rest of south-east Essex — same day where possible, often within a few hours during storm season.

We'll:

— Make the tree safe immediately on arrival

— Section it down properly so nothing else gets damaged

— Clear away all the timber and debris

— Help with photos and documentation for your insurance claim

One last thing

Don't try to cut up a fallen tree yourself, especially with a chainsaw, unless you've been trained. Wind-damaged trees are under loads of stored tension and they can move in ways you don't expect. A garden chainsaw accident is one of the most common A&E call-outs after a major storm — it's not worth the saving.

Call us on +44 7904 856023 if you need someone out fast.