Tree Down on Property: What to Do

What should you do first?

Stay back and look. Check for power lines in or near the tree, and treat any line as live. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or a line is down, and call your utility to report the problem. Do not touch the tree or anything it touches if a line is involved.

Look for other hazards: broken limbs hanging overhead, a leaning tree nearby, a damaged roof or gas line, and ground that may be unstable. Tell everyone in the house to stay away from the area.

Even a small tree can hide a snapped limb or a tangle of wire, so take your time looking before anything moves.

• Treat any wire as live
• Keep people and animals back
• Look up for hanging limbs
• Call the utility for lines

Is it a job for you or a professional?

Tree work is among the most dangerous jobs in rural life. Trees under tension can spring back when cut, and branches can fall without warning. A tree resting on a house or in other trees is a job for a trained, insured professional.

If you do plan to cut, you need the right protective gear, a clear escape path, a trained helper and enough experience. Ask your extension office or state forestry agency about chainsaw safety courses.

If in doubt, call a professional. The cost is small compared with an injury.

• Trees on buildings or lines need professionals
• Never cut alone
• Use proper protective gear
• Take a safety course before using a chainsaw
• Ask a helper to watch the area
• Keep a phone nearby

What about trees on fences and animals?

A tree on a fence can open a gap for animals to escape. Move animals to a safe pen before you work, and temporarily close the gap if you can do so safely. Do not rely on a tree to hold a fence upright.

Remove limbs and debris from pastures where animals could eat or be injured. Some plants and wilted leaves can poison livestock. Ask your veterinarian or extension office which plants are dangerous to your animals.

Who is responsible for the tree?

If a tree falls from a neighbor's land onto yours, or the reverse, who is responsible depends on your state's law and the facts, such as whether the tree was healthy. Do not assume. Call your insurance agent and, if the matter is disputed, an attorney.

If the tree is on a public road, call the county road department or state highway department. Do not move the tree if it blocks a road, other than to make a safe passage if you are trained.

How do you work with insurance?

Take photos and video before moving anything. Call your insurance agent soon, and ask what is covered, such as damage to a house or fence and the cost of tree removal. Coverage varies, and many policies have limits.

Keep all receipts. Get written estimates from licensed and insured tree services, and do not pay the whole amount before the work is done.

• Photograph the tree and damage
• Call the agent promptly
• Keep receipts
• Get written estimates

What can you do with the wood?

Fallen trees can become firewood, fence posts or wildlife habitat. Ask your state forestry agency or extension office about how to handle logs, and whether moving firewood is restricted in your area because of pests. Some states limit the movement of firewood.

Do not burn the brush without checking local burn rules. Burn bans and permits vary by county and state.

• Ask about burn permits and bans
• Ask about firewood movement rules
• Stack cut wood off the ground to dry

How do you prevent problems in the future?

Look at trees near buildings, lines, roads and fences at least once a year. Dead branches, cracks, fungus, leaning trunks and root damage are warning signs. A certified arborist or state forester can tell you which trees are a risk.

Ask your utility about trimming near power lines, and never trim near wires yourself.

If the tree is dead or damaged but still standing, do not go under it. Mark the area and call for advice.

• Inspect trees yearly
• Remove dead limbs with a professional
• Call the utility about trees near lines
• Plant new trees away from buildings

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.