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uk Home & property emergencies

What to do if…
a tree or large branch is leaning or hanging over your home after a storm

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Keep everyone away from the threatened part of the home and do not approach, climb, cut or pull the tree or branch. Call 999 if anyone is in immediate danger, then contact your insurer and an appropriately qualified tree contractor from a safe place.

Do not do these things

  • Do not stand beneath the tree or branch to inspect it.
  • Do not go onto the roof, use a ladder or lean out of an upstairs window.
  • Do not try to cut, push, pull or secure storm-damaged wood yourself.
  • Do not park, walk or allow children or pets beneath the affected area.
  • Do not touch the tree if it is close to, resting on or tangled with an overhead cable.
  • Do not go outside to make repairs while strong winds or dangerous weather continue.
  • Do not enter a room if the roof, ceiling, wall or windows beneath the tree appear damaged.
  • Do not arrange non-urgent removal before speaking to your insurer when the home has been damaged.

What to do now

  1. Move everyone, including pets, away from rooms, doors, paths and parking spaces beneath or beside the leaning tree or hanging branch. Use another part of the building only if you can reach it without passing beneath the hazard.

  2. Call 999 if the tree or branch is falling, breaking into the building, trapping someone, threatening people or blocking the only safe exit. Leave by a safe route if one is available without passing beneath the tree or damaged structure.

  3. Stay indoors and away from the affected side while dangerous weather continues, unless the building itself appears unsafe. If you need to leave, use an exit away from the tree and move to a safe neighbouring property or other enclosed place.

  4. From a safe distance, note visible warning signs such as movement at the roots, a split trunk, a partly detached branch, contact with the roof, damaged walls or windows, or repeated cracking sounds. Do not move closer to investigate.

  5. If the tree or branch is touching, resting on or very close to an overhead power line, keep well clear and prevent others from approaching. Contact the local electricity network operator; call 999 if there is fire, sparking or immediate danger.

  6. Contact your buildings insurer or its emergency claims service as soon as it is safe. Explain that a storm-damaged tree or branch is over the home and state whether the roof, windows, walls, utilities or access routes are affected.

  7. Ask your insurer whether it wants to appoint a contractor or approve emergency work before you arrange it. If urgent work must be organised to prevent further damage, keep photographs, messages, invoices and receipts where it is safe to do so.

  8. Contact an appropriately qualified and insured tree contractor for an urgent assessment. Tell them that the tree is storm-damaged, unstable and over a building so they can plan suitable access and equipment.

  9. If the tree belongs to a neighbour, landlord, managing agent or council, notify them promptly without entering the danger area. Use the relevant council’s reporting service if a council tree also threatens a road, pavement or other public place.

  10. Take photographs or video only from a safe indoor or distant position. Do not delay emergency action or place yourself beneath the tree to document the damage.

What can wait

You do not need to decide now who is legally responsible, whether the entire tree must be removed, how permanent repairs will be completed or how costs will be divided. Boundary questions, protected-tree checks, replacement plans, competing quotations and non-urgent clean-up can wait until the immediate risk has been assessed.

Important reassurance

Keeping your distance and arranging professional help are useful actions. Storm-damaged trees and branches can be unpredictable, so you do not need to confirm how unstable they are yourself before treating the area cautiously.

Scope note

This guide covers the first safe steps after storm damage. Later decisions about tree work, structural repairs, insurance, ownership, protected trees or liability may require advice from your insurer, the tree owner, your council and qualified specialists.

Important note

This is general safety and property information, not legal, insurance, structural-engineering or arboricultural advice. Follow instructions from the emergency services, your electricity network operator, your insurer and qualified professionals who can assess the site directly.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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