Oh No! A Tree Is Falling Down – What Should You Do?

One of the downsides to living on a rural property with some land is that you have to maintain it. Sometimes this works in your favor. Perhaps the water runoff systems have already been cared for, and you’re sat on good soil which can be used for a variety of purposes. 

But other times, you might find that difficulties show themselves and require a quick response. This is especially true if you live near a public footpath. Or if one issue has caused another. 

For example, a common issue is for trees to be damaged by heavy storms, wind or lightning. Maybe the tree had a rot problem you didn’t know about until it was too late, or it’s just old and weakened. These require immediate attention.

In this post, we’ll discuss some ways you can ensure safety and process once you notice a tree is at risk.

Fence Off the Area

Make sure nobody can walk near that damaged tree. This is especially important if you have a public footpath nearby or if children tend to play in the area. You don’t need to spend too much on this. Some basic barriers or temporary fencing from the hardware area will do the job. Even just posts with warning tape can go a long way, with a sign you put up to avoid the area. The key is to let others know why the area is blocked off. 

If the tree is near your neighbor’s property, it’s probably worth letting them know what’s going on as well. This kind of heads-up might even have the neighbor help you pay for the repairs or go half-and-half with you, especially if you’ve saved them from a damaged fence that might have let all their sheep out otherwise.

Remove Branches & Damages

You might notice some branches that have already fallen or look ready to come down. Smaller branches that have already dropped can usually be cleared away safely, but it’s best to leave anything still hanging up there alone. Be sure to wear your hard hat as you clear branches.

Remember also that while people try to pull down dangerous branches themselves, this often causes more problems than it solves. It may harm the reduced integrity of the tree further. If you spot any power lines nearby, that’s another reason to hold off on doing anything yourself for obvious reasons. The main goal here is just to tidy up what’s already on the ground so you can get a better look at what needs proper attention.

Call A Tree Specialist

Getting someone who knows trees to take a proper look is really worth doing. Tree specialists can help you see issues you might not have known, like whether the damage goes deeper into the trunk or if other trees nearby might have similar issues. They usually know the local rules about tree removal too, which helps if you need any permits. Some areas have specific rules about cutting down trees, and yes that can apply to even damaged ones. The specialist might even help you save elements of the tree if that’s possible.

With this advice, we hope you can feel more confident even if trees have fallen on your property.