Sussex is no stranger to storms. The South Downs funnel winds across the county, and every winter we deal with trees that have been brought down by gales, heavy snow, or waterlogged ground. If a tree comes down on your property — or looks like it’s about to — here’s what to do.
What should I do first when a tree comes down?
The first priority is always safety. Keep away from the fallen tree, and keep children and pets well clear. Fallen trees can be under tension, and branches that look stable can spring back unpredictably when weight shifts. If the tree has brought down power lines, stay at least 10 metres away and call the electricity network operator immediately. Ring 105 (free, 24 hours), which puts you through to your local network operator, UK Power Networks in most of Sussex. Never touch or approach fallen power lines, even if they appear dead — they can carry lethal voltage.
Who do I call about a fallen tree?
If the tree has fallen across a public road, call the council’s highways department. West Sussex County Council and East Sussex County Council both have 24-hour emergency numbers for highway obstructions. If the road is blocked and there’s an immediate danger to traffic, call 999. For trees blocking access to your property but not on the public highway, that’s where a tree surgeon comes in.
Will home insurance cover storm damage?
Call your insurance company early. Most standard home insurance policies cover storm damage to your property, but most will only pay to remove a fallen tree if it has damaged your home or another insured structure. The key thing is to document the damage before any work starts. Take photographs from multiple angles showing the tree, any damage to buildings, fences, or vehicles, and the extent of the debris. These photographs will support your insurance claim.
Who can safely remove a storm-damaged tree?
When it comes to removing the tree, you need someone who can respond quickly and has the right equipment. Storm damage work often involves trees that are hung up in other trees, resting on buildings, or tangled in power lines — these are not jobs for general gardeners or DIY enthusiasts. A qualified tree surgeon will have the chainsaw certificates (NPTC CS30 to CS41), climbing equipment, and insurance to handle the situation safely.
Who is responsible when a tree falls?
A common question after storm damage is: who is responsible for the tree? In general, the owner of the land where the tree stands is responsible for it. If a healthy tree is brought down by a storm, each owner usually claims for their own damage on their own insurance, whichever side of the fence it came from. The tree’s owner is only likely to be liable if they were negligent, for example if they knew, or should have known, the tree was dead, decaying or unsafe and did nothing about it.
Protected trees need extra care. If a TPO tree or a tree in a conservation area has come down or poses an immediate risk of serious harm, for example a tree resting on your house, you can carry out the minimum work needed to make it safe and tell the council as soon as practicable afterwards. Anything beyond that, such as removing a damaged tree that isn’t an immediate danger, still needs consent or notice first. Take photographs before and during the work to show why it was necessary.
How can I protect my trees before the next storm?
Prevention is better than cure. If you have mature trees in your garden, consider having them inspected by a qualified arborist before winter. We can identify signs of decay, poor structural form, or root problems that make a tree more likely to fail in high winds. Preventative crown reductions to reduce sail area, removal of deadwood, and selective pruning to improve the tree’s wind resistance are all cost-effective ways to reduce the risk of storm damage.
We offer emergency callouts across Sussex and Surrey and can usually respond within a few hours during storm events. If you have a tree emergency, call us on 07745 817067 and we’ll get to you as quickly as possible.
