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Edited by Ali Lijee Edited by Ali LijeeTrees naturally tend to grow so that they’re stable, thanks to their root system and canopy which normally provide some equilibrium. Strong impacts from motor vehicle collisions, strong winds, or extreme weather conditions, however, can greatly weaken even the mightiest of trees or outright topple them over. When a tree has fallen, whether or not it’s caused immediate harm or damage, it’s essential to seek emergency tree services.
Table of contents
- What are emergency tree services?
- Why are emergency tree services needed?
- Types of emergency tree services
- Emergency tree service process explained
- How to get emergency tree services near you
- Emergency tree services in the UK: frequently asked questions
- Get emergency tree services today
What are emergency tree services?
Emergency tree services are services tree surgeons provide as an urgent response to damaged or fallen trees or tree branches. Whereas most tree surgeon services are non-urgent and can be done seasonally, emergency tree services naturally cannot wait and must be prompt and efficient for safety reasons.
If you consider that a mature tree can weigh 30 or more tonnes, the entire tree falling over from severe weather conditions can cause immense damage to property and cause serious injury or death. There’s no crystal ball to predict exactly when such an event might occur, but what is important is that emergency tree services are called upon to rectify the situation and to mitigate any damage caused.
Not all tree surgeons in the UK provide emergency response, but many do. Their task is to remove any debris that has fallen over with an emphasis on safety. This includes clearing up obstructions to public access, removing fallen limbs on roofs and property, and clearing out the debris.
Why are emergency tree services needed?
There are many different reasons why emergency tree services might be needed. A few of the most common reasons are:
- Storm damage: extreme winds or flooding could knock over trees, weaken the root system, lead to crown imbalances, or render trees weak to further weather conditions.
- Hazardous trees/branches: all of the above weather conditions and impacts from cars or otherwise could weaken the entire tree or particular branches. These branches could become split or cracked and fall over at any time.
- Blocked public access: fallen over trees or large branches could obstruct private access by blocking off roads, walking paths, or driveways. This could make evacuation routes unsafe and make it more challenging for first responders to provide emergency assistance.
- Damage to property: fallen trees and/or branches may damage roofs or even destroy homes, sheds, or other structures on your property or the property of your neighbours.
Benefits of emergency tree services
There are many benefits to emergency tree services, most of which are fairly obvious:
- Improved public safety: removing immediate hazards from a fallen tree or branch can make the area temporarily safe (until further action can be taken) or safer in the long term.
- Mitigates further damage: by removing damaged trees or branches at the earliest opportunity, the risk of further damage is greatly reduced. Leaning trees that must be removed immediately, for example, will no longer pose a threat.
- Restore utility lines or public access: sometimes, fallen over trees or branches can interfere with overhead power lines or block public access. Removing debris can help authorities restore access and repair any affected power lines.
- Improved aesthetics: a dangerously leaning tree or cracked branches certainly aren’t nice to look at, so removing these hazards can help the tree retain its vitality and make your property look safer and better.
The primary reason for emergency tree services is usually public safety
Types of emergency tree services
Emergency tree services are generally all quite similar - the point is to remove any obstruction and to remediate damage with minimal delay. These are some of the main types of tree services that a tree surgeon may provide:
Storm damage response
Weather conditions in the UK are about as predictably wild as the number of names we give the humble bread roll - is it a bap, cob, morning roll, or perhaps a stotty? We never know what sorts of wacky weather might hit us, but severe storms and high winds can certainly wreak havoc on our trees. This can, in turn, lead to severe hazards and branches or entire trees being knocked over.
Storm damage response may involve the emergency clearance of an entire tree or branches that have fallen over (or are at severe risk of falling over) from a storm. Tree surgeons must act quickly to mitigate any further damage and restore safety to the impacted area.
While there’s no telling when a severe storm might hit, the fact of the matter is you should have a reliable emergency tree surgeon on call, 24/7 for urgent response. Prompt service and securing the area are essential, but never put yourself in danger and take full precautions if a tree is at immediate risk of falling over and causing damage.
Hazardous tree or limb removal
A tree or its branches could become weakened over time, from a vehicular collision, or from unhealthy growth that leaves it precariously imbalanced. When a tree and/or its limbs become a hazard, it may be time for emergency tree services.
If you’ve noticed that the tree’s trunk is cracked or split, leaning over, or its branches are cracked or diseased, it could fall over at any time. In these cases, all it takes is often a moderate gust of wind or the next storm for it to fall over and potentially cause serious injury and/or property damage.
Lastly, tree crowns that have grown large enough to interfere with overhead utility lines could be cause for an emergency call-out. Tree branches could interfere with the power lines, fences, roofs, or other buildings over time, so it’s best to act early whenever possible or to use emergency tree services to restore safety.
Emergency tree pruning
While sometimes complete tree removal is necessary as an emergency measure, it is usually not recommended and alternatives should be sought out whenever possible. Emergency tree pruning may be required whenever one or more branches or the entire crown need to be pruned, either from a strong impact, spread of disease or deadwood, or from severe weather conditions.
Emergency pruning includes crown reduction services designed to immediately mitigate hazards from the tree, such as crown thinning and weight reduction. By pruning away cracked, diseased, or dead branches and/or reducing mass from the crown, the tree can often be saved.
Veteran trees may sometimes need urgent pruning as they can often no longer support such a large crown. Emergency and non-emergency pruning can help veteran trees live out their golden years whilst keeping the public and property safe.
Emergency stump grinding
Trees that have fallen over from a storm or impact (e.g. vehicle collision) can often leave behind quite a mess. Naturally, the trunk and crown can cause tremendous damage to anything beneath, but oftentimes the stump is left behind and can pose a hazard.
The shearing forces from a tree falling over due to wind or impact will usually look pretty irregular, especially compared to controlled tree felling from a professional tree surgeon whereby the stump is left relatively clean and the trunk has completely separated.
Emergency stump grinding can be beneficial and is usually done in tandem with emergency tree removal. In addition to snipping the hinge where any part of the trunk may still be attached to the stump, the tree surgeon will safely grind the remainder of the stump and restore the soil so that it’s safe for replanting and landscaping.
Restoration of public access
Trees or large branches that have fallen onto driveways, roads, and walking paths could all cause inconvenience or complete blockage. Public access can be critical, especially in times of emergency where evacuation routes must be clear for evacuees and emergency response.
If a tree has fallen over and is blocking public access, it is essential to have a 24/7 tree surgeon near you available to provide emergency tree services and to restore public access.
This is usually the first consideration of any emergency tree response, as it may be critical for allowing firefighters, police, ambulances, or other first responders to access affected areas.
Emergency tree services are normally required for storms and severe weather, such as strong winds or impacts
Emergency tree service process explained
All tree emergencies are different. Some may cause no damage at all, some may block off public access, some might damage or destroy structures or cause serious injuries to people. Generally, the emergency tree service process is as follows:
- Call 111 or 999: first and foremost, call 999 in an emergency for an ambulance to arrive at the scene. For less urgent medical assistance, the NHS recommends you call 111 instead.
- Call a tree surgeon near you: many tree surgeons provide 24/7 emergency response services. They can work with other first responders to clear vital access routes, remove blockages from large branches and tree trunks, and restore safety.
- Request a tree survey or follow-up service: once the immediate damage has been mitigated and all hazards have been eliminated, you may benefit from a tree survey and additional services like pruning later on (assuming the tree is left intact), or full tree removal if there is no other option.
Don’t forget that you may also need to contact your insurance providers if your home or vehicle has sustained damage, for example. Insurance claims may be much easier to process if your tree surgeon can assist you with damage remediation and provide photographs of the damage.
Always request an ambulance or seek urgent medical assistance first, then call an emergency tree surgeon afterwards
How to get emergency tree services near you
Trees are supposed to be safe and healthy, providing us with shade and comfort throughout the seasons and years. When a tree isn’t quite as safe as it should be, either from a storm, severe weather or an impact, it could be very unsafe and pose a hazard to people nearby.
Get emergency tree service with minimal delay by choosing a qualified tree surgeon or arborist near you through a platform like TreeMend. We make it quick and easy to find reputable, local tree surgeons and arborists in postcodes across the UK.
Get no-obligation quotes for emergency tree services near you by using TreeMend
Emergency tree services in the UK: frequently asked questions
How much do emergency tree services cost?
According to our tree surgeon cost guide, the average cost of tree surgeon labour in the UK is around £250 to £460 for a day’s work. Note that these costs can vary significantly depending on site accessibility, the size of the tree, the severity of the impact, and many other factors.
Who can help with a fallen tree?
Tree surgeons and arborists can help with a fallen tree by clearing out any obstructions, pruning any dangerous branches, and removing all debris from the affected area. For urgent situations such as storm damage, dangerously leaning trees or branches, or from impact that has caused damage to the tree, it’s best to leave these tasks to a qualified emergency tree surgeon near you.
Who is responsible when a tree falls onto a road?
If a tree falls onto a road, it is generally the responsibility of the tree’s owner to ensure that the blockage is removed. If the tree was not located on privately owned land, the council has a duty to remove the blockage. In emergency situations, it is essential to exercise due diligence and notify authorities at the earliest possible convenience.
Who is responsible for trees next to road?
Trees that are located next to a road may belong to your local planning authority (council) or, if situated on your property, they may be your responsibility. If the tree has branches overhanging onto public access such as roads, you have a responsibility to ensure that the branches do not pose an immediate hazard to motorists and pedestrian traffic.
Who do I report a tree in the road to?
If a tree has fallen onto a road, you should report the blockage to your local council as soon as possible. Whether or not the tree belongs to you, notifying your local council can assist with emergency response to alleviate the situation and to ensure safety is restored quickly and efficiently.
Am I liable if my trees fall on a road?
Yes, tree owners in the UK have a duty of care for trees they own and must use full due diligence if their tree falls onto the road from a storm, impact, or otherwise. The health and safety of people and property around the tree are paramount, so you should always take action without delay to have hazardous debris removed by calling a tree surgeon near you.
Who treats damaged trees?
Damaged trees can be assessed by a qualified arborist near you. If the tree has been damaged from impact, an imbalance of the crown or roots, disease or decay, or from severe winds or other weather conditions, an arborist can survey the tree and identify the best course of action to restore the tree’s vitality and to remove any hazards.
How do I complain about an overgrown tree?
If a tree is overgrown on a neighbour’s property, you should always try to have a civil discourse with them to see if an agreement can be made regarding the overgrowth. Property owners in the UK may have a right to light and it may be possible to force your neighbour to thin or reduce the crown of a tree if it interferes with the amount of light penetration on your property.
Can you force a neighbour to remove a tree?
In the UK, you generally cannot force a neighbour to remove a tree from property they own. Tree owners have a duty to care under common law, so if your neighbour’s tree poses a hazard to you or anyone else on your property (or to the home itself) then you may be able to force them to take action to mitigate these hazards. You can also prune overhanging branches on your side of the boundary line, within reason, but you must give back any fruit and garden waste to the neighbour.
Can someone cut my tree without permission?
Neighbours may be able to prune overhanging branches on their side of the property boundary without your permission, but they must do so reasonably, e.g. not pruning branches too large in diameter or beyond their boundary line. They must also give you back any fruit and garden waste from pruning. They cannot fell your tree without your permission and generally cannot force you to fell your own tree.
Get emergency tree services today
When you need urgent assistance for a fallen tree or branches, or if you suspect that a tree poses a significant hazard to you, others on your property, or your home, you shouldn’t delay and should contact a qualified tree surgeon near you today.