Safety first
Get everyone out of the part of the building that was hit. Do not go back under the impact zone to retrieve belongings.
- If the tree touched or tore down power lines, stay away. Treat every fallen wire as live.
- If you smell gas, leave without flipping any switch.
- Do not try to cut or pull the branches. A trunk resting on a roof is unstable and can roll or tip when the load shifts.
A tree on the roof is a roof emergency of its own kind. Several trades must step in one after another.
Who to call, and in what order
- 911, if someone is injured, if wires are down, if you smell gas or if the building seems unstable. Firefighters secure the site.
- Your power utility, if the building's service connection or the street wires are affected. Nobody should work near the tree until the power is made safe.
- Your insurer. Notify your insurer early and ask what to do before spending money. Only your insurer can tell you what your policy provides for tree removal and repairs.
- A tree care company. Removing a tree resting on a building is specialized work, often done with a crane or in sections.
- Us, through the form. Once the tree is removed, the opening must be closed temporarily and the damage assessed. Write to us early to find out when we can come.
Before the tree is removed
Take photos from a distance, from several angles, without getting close. Show the tree in place, the point of impact and the stump or break. These images cannot be taken once the trunk is cut up.
Have the structure checked
A falling tree hits hard. The holed roofing is the visible damage. What lies underneath matters more.
- The decking. The panels or boards under the roofing can be split well beyond the hole.
- The rafters or roof trusses. A cracked or shifted framing member no longer carries its load. A damaged truss is not repaired by guesswork.
On our side, we see the decking and the top of the framing. If a load-bearing member is broken or shifted, a structural engineer's opinion is strongly recommended before closing up. New roofing on weakened framing fixes nothing.
Frequently asked questions
The tree came from my neighbour's property. Who pays?
Responsibility depends on the circumstances and is not settled on the sidewalk. Ask your insurer this question when you call. Note your neighbour's contact information and photograph the tree before it is removed.
Can I cut the branches myself to clear the roof?
No, do not cut the branches yourself. A tree resting on a building moves unpredictably when cut, and bent branches act like springs. Leave this work to a company equipped and insured to do it.
A small branch hit the roof. Should I worry?
A branch can pierce a shingle or a membrane without leaving a hole visible from the ground. Ask us to check the spot. Watch the ceiling below during the next rains.