What to do right after a tree falls
- Safety first. Get everyone out of any room where a tree has come through the roof. Don't climb onto the roof or under a hanging limb.
- Stay away from wires. Treat every downed or sagging line as live. Trees can carry current, too. Call Eversource at 800-286-2000 to report downed lines, and 911 if anyone is in danger, there's fire, or a road is blocked dangerously.
- Photograph the damage. Take wide shots and close-ups of the tree, the roof, siding, cars and fences before anything is moved. Your insurer will want them.
- Check whose tree it is. If the tree came from the street side, it may be a Town tree. Call the Town of Fairfield DPW / Tree Warden at 203-256-3178. Trees along state roads are CT DOT's responsibility.
- Request a removal quote. Use the form, choose "Emergency – today," and attach photos.
Tree down on your property? Request emergency help now.
Coastal storms and nor'easters in Fairfield
Fairfield sits right on Long Island Sound, so it takes the full force of nor'easters, tropical storm remnants and sudden summer thunderstorms. Saturated soil after days of rain lets shallow-rooted trees tip over whole, while heavy wet snow and ice snap leaders and big limbs. Near the beaches and Southport Harbor, constant salt wind can weaken trees over time, and inland neighborhoods like Greenfield Hill see more trees falling across long driveways and into wooded lots.
After a major storm, the most dangerous jobs — trees on occupied houses or blocking the only way out — tend to get handled first. Everything else may take days, so it helps to get your request in early.
What emergency tree crews typically do
- Remove trees from roofs, cars and driveways carefully, often piece by piece with ropes, a bucket truck or a crane so they don't cause more damage on the way off.
- Cut up and haul away trunks, limbs and brush, or leave the wood cut to length if you'd like to keep it.
- Make hanging or split trees safe by taking them down before they fall on their own.
- Grind the stump afterward if you want — see stump grinding.
Crews generally won't touch anything tangled in utility lines until the utility has cleared it. Big or awkward trees leaning on a house may call for crane tree removal.
Pricing in an emergency
Expect emergency work to cost more than a scheduled removal. Even when you're in a hurry, ask for the price and what's included (cleanup, haul-away, stump) in writing, and ask for proof of insurance. Our tree removal cost guide explains the main price factors.
Emergency tree removal FAQ
A tree fell on my power line. What do I do?
Stay well away — assume the line is live, even if it's quiet. Call Eversource at 800-286-2000 to report it, and call 911 if anyone is in danger or there's fire. Tree crews can't safely work until the utility has made the line safe.
Will homeowners insurance pay for fallen tree removal?
Often, if the tree damaged a covered structure such as your house, garage or fence. Policies vary, so photograph everything, keep receipts and call your insurer. A tree that falls in the yard without hitting anything is frequently not covered.
Who handles a tree that fell from the street onto my property?
Trees in the Town right-of-way fall under the Fairfield Tree Warden. Call the Town of Fairfield DPW / Tree Warden at 203-256-3178. Trees on state roads such as the Post Road (US-1) are handled by CT DOT.
Does emergency tree removal cost more?
Usually. Night, weekend and post-storm work, plus the extra care of lifting a tree off a roof or car, tends to raise the price. Ask for the price in writing before work starts, even in an emergency.
How fast can someone come?
It depends on demand. After a widespread storm, providers are booked up and triage the most dangerous jobs first. Mark your request as "Emergency – today" and include photos so the provider can judge urgency.