Storm-damaged, fallen, or hanging — the trees that cannot wait for a scheduled appointment.
If a tree or branch is touching, resting on, or has brought down an electricity cable, do not approach it and do not let anyone else near it. Call 105, the free national number for your electricity network operator, and keep well clear until they have made it safe.
No tree surgeon should go near a live cable. That is the network operator's job, and they will attend urgently and at no charge.
If it can safely wait a week, it is better booked as ordinary work and will cost less. If you are not sure, send a photo and we will tell you honestly which it is.
A Tree Preservation Order does not force you to leave a dangerous tree standing. Where a tree presents an immediate risk of serious harm, work can be carried out without prior consent — but two conditions apply, and they matter.
You must notify the council as soon as practicable afterwards, and the work must be limited to what actually removes the danger. Felling an entire protected tree when making one limb safe would have done is not covered by the exemption.
Because "dangerous" is judged after the event, photograph the tree before work starts if it is safe to do so, and keep the record. We document what we find and why the work was necessary as a matter of course on protected trees.
Many household policies cover storm damage and the cost of making a tree safe. Check your cover before assuming you are paying for it yourself.
Keep everyone well clear and check whether any cables are involved. If a cable is affected, call 105 for your electricity network operator and do not approach. Otherwise photograph the damage for your insurer and call us.
Yes. Where a tree poses an immediate risk of serious harm, the work can go ahead without prior consent. The council must be notified as soon as practicable afterwards, and the work has to be limited to removing the danger rather than taking the whole tree if that was not necessary.
Often, yes. Many household policies cover storm damage and making a damaged tree safe, though cover varies and some exclude removal of the resulting debris. Photograph everything before it is moved and check your policy before paying out of pocket.
We would strongly advise against it. Wind-damaged timber is under tension and can spring violently when cut, and hung-up limbs can drop without warning. Chainsaw injuries from storm clear-up are common and severe.
It depends on where you are and what else is in hand, particularly after a storm when everyone calls at once. Call or text rather than using the contact form for anything urgent, and we will give you a realistic time rather than an optimistic one.
Send a photo and the address and we will come back to you with a clear price.
