Emergency Storm Damage: What to do if a Tree Falls on Your Property

Storms can be unpredictable and can cause severe damage to trees. Heavy rain can saturate the ground; high winds can make trees rock and lightning strikes can split trunks and sever branches.

Storms are dangerous and can often leave hazards that need to be dealt with quickly. This does not mean being impulsive, however, because taking the wrong action can make matters worse with the potential for more damage and serious injury.

What Not to do if a Tree Falls

Although action is needed after a tree falls, there are certain things that you must not do:

• Do not try to remove the tree yourself. Branches and trunks that are twisted and bent have stored elastic energy, so they are likely to spring back with some force when cut through. A tree may well have internal cracks or root damage that are not apparent, causing it to move unexpectedly when put under pressure.
• Do not approach a tree if it is touching or near power lines.
• Do not just pull loose branches away from a roof since you may cause it further damage.
• Never assume that you can completely remove a damaged tree. It may be a protected species, may have a planning overlay or be subject to local controls. Most councils allow urgent work to ensure a tree is safe but may need proof of the danger that is posed.
• If a tree has fallen from council land or a neighbour’s property, do not try to remove the tree yourself but instead inform them as it is likely to be their responsibility.

What to do After a Tree Falls

Safety is the most important objective so make sure everyone is clear of danger. Before attempting to do anything with the tree, take plenty of photographs and gather documentary evidence of what has happened and the damage caused. You may need this for your insurance company and for the local council if the tree is protected.

Your insurance policy should cover you for repairs to your property and possibly the removal of the parts of the tree that are causing the problem. It is unlikely, however, to pay for any other work on the tree, which will be your responsibility. Check your policy to see exactly what is covered.

Assess the situation and then your next actions will depend on the circumstances:

• If the tree has fallen on a building, car or a person, dial 000 to summon the emergency services.
• When the tree is touching or close to a power line, contact energysafe.vic.gov.au for help.
• If you are not sure what to do, contact VICSES (ses.vic.gov.au) for advice.
• For trees that have fallen from public land, get in touch with the local council and notify them of the problem.
• In all other cases, contact us and we will attend to your problem quickly. At A.P Tree Management, we can assess the situation, provide a report for your insurer or the council and take all steps necessary to resolve the problem.