🌳 Tree Fell on Your Fence (or Shed, or Car)—Now What?

Last updated: February 2025

The wind picked up overnight. You wake up to find a tree—either yours or the neighbour's—now occupying your fence, shed, or (nightmare scenario) your car.

Here's what happens next. Real answers from someone who's been called out to 200+ fallen tree jobs.

First: The Liability Question Everyone Asks

"My neighbour's tree fell on my fence—surely THEY have to pay?"

Probably not. Here's the actual law:

• If the tree was healthy: It's an "act of God". Your buildings insurance pays for your damage. Their insurance pays for theirs. No one is liable.
• If the tree was obviously dangerous: (rotten, leaning, you warned them in writing) → Their liability insurance should pay.
• If you can't prove it was dangerous: Your insurance pays. End of.

What To Do In The First Hour

1. Safety first (boring but vital):

• Tree touching powerlines? Stay back 10 metres. Call 105 immediately.
• Tree under tension (leaning, propped up)? Don't touch it. Don't try to "just move that branch". Call a qualified arborist.
• Structural damage to house? Get everyone out if there's danger.

2. Photograph everything:

• Wide shot showing whole scene
• Tree trunk/root system (was it rotted? Healthy?)
• Damage to your property (fence, shed, car)
• Neighbour's property (if their tree—shows where it came from)
• Take video walkthrough narrating what you see

3. Don't cut anything yet:

Insurance assessor might want to see it in situ. Cutting it up now = you've destroyed evidence if there's a liability dispute.

Who Pays For What? The Actual Breakdown

Emergency Removal: What It Actually Costs

Real prices from 200+ emergency tree removals across the UK (2024-2025):

What affects the price?

• Size: Bigger tree = more work, bigger equipment
• Location: Tree fell ON something (shed, fence, house) = careful sectioning = more time
• Access: Can we get a chipper in? Or hand-carry everything through the house?
• Disposal: Woodchip vs full clearance
• Powerlines: Need utility company to isolate = delay + extra cost
• Protected tree: TPO (Tree Preservation Order) = council approval needed (though emergency exemption usually applies)

The Insurance Process (Step-by-Step)

Day 1: Emergency

1. Tree falls, damages your fence/shed
2. You photograph everything
3. Call emergency arborist (us: 0333 600 0990)
4. We make it safe—cut away immediate danger, secure site
5. Emergency work billed separately (keep receipts—insurance reimburses up to £1,500-£2,500)

Days 1-3: Assessment

1. Call your buildings insurance (claim line, not general enquiries)
2. Give claim number to arborist
3. We provide insurance-grade quote: itemised, photos referenced, scope clear
4. Insurance appoints loss adjuster (sometimes—not always)

Days 3-10: Approval

1. Insurance approves quote (or negotiates)
2. You pay excess (usually £250-500 for buildings)
3. Work scheduled

Days 10-21: Removal & Repair

1. Full tree removal (crane if needed)
2. Fence/shed/structure repaired or replaced
3. Site cleared, chip/logs removed
4. Invoice sent to insurance (or you, if you paid direct)

What Insurance Actually Covers (Buildings)

✅ Usually Covered:

• Tree removal (if tree damaged property)
• Fence repair/replacement
• Shed/outbuilding repair
• Damage to walls, paths, driveways
• Emergency temporary fencing/securing
• Alternative accommodation (if house uninhabitable)

❌ Usually NOT Covered:

• Tree removal if nothing was damaged (fell in middle of lawn)
• Maintenance (tree was already dead, you just ignored it)
• Gradual damage over time (not "sudden and unexpected")
• Trees/plants themselves (unless you bought specific garden cover)
• Lawn damage (unless direct result of tree/structure falling)

What About Contents Insurance?

If the tree damaged stuff, not just structures:

• Car: Car insurance (comprehensive), not home insurance
• Lawnmower/tools in shed: Contents insurance
• Garden furniture: Contents insurance (if specified in policy)
• Greenhouse: Usually contents, sometimes buildings (check policy)

Your contents excess is separate (often £100-250). So if tree damages both fence and shed contents, you pay TWO excesses.

The Neighbour Conversation (How To Not Fall Out)

If it's their tree on your fence:

✅ Do This:

• Talk to them calmly ("Tree came down last night—everyone OK your side?")
• Share photos
• Explain you're claiming on your insurance (no blame, act of God)
• Coordinate arborist access (they might need to unlock their gate)
• Offer to share woodchip/logs if they want it

❌ Don't Do This:

• Accuse them of negligence without proof
• Cut the tree without telling them
• Demand they pay (unless you have written proof it was dangerous)
• Throw branches/debris into their garden
• Post angry stuff on neighbourhood Facebook

When You SHOULD Pursue Neighbour's Liability

Only if you can prove ALL of these:

1. Tree was obviously dangerous (rotted, leaning severely, dead branches)
2. You notified them IN WRITING (email, letter—dated, saved)
3. They ignored it (reasonable time passed, no action)
4. Professional assessment confirms (arborist report says "should have been removed")

If you've got all that? Contact your insurer. They'll pursue the neighbour's liability insurance (subrogation claim). You don't do it directly.

What We Do (Emergency Tree Removal Process)

You call 0333 600 0990. Here's what happens:

1. Immediate triage: Powerlines? People in danger? Structural damage?
2. Team deployed: 90 minutes for life/safety emergencies, 4 hours for urgent, same-day for non-urgent
3. Site assessment: NPTC-qualified arborist inspects tree, assesses why it fell, identifies hazards
4. Emergency works: Make safe—remove immediate danger, secure site, prevent further damage
5. Quote for full removal: Insurance-grade quote: itemised, photos, scope, timeline
6. Coordinate with insurance: We deal with loss adjusters, provide supporting reports
7. Full removal & repair: Scheduled within 2 weeks (or sooner if urgent)

Fixed pricing. The quote is the price. No "oh we found more work" surprises.

DIY vs Professional: When To Call Us

Call professionals if:

• Tree fell ON something (house, shed, fence, car)
• Tree near powerlines (even if not touching)
• Tree still standing but damaged/dangerous
• Tree over 4m tall
• You're claiming on insurance (they want qualified contractors)
• Main trunk diameter over 20cm

DIY if:

• Small branches only (<10cm diameter)
• Tree fell clear of all structures
• You have proper equipment (chainsaw, PPE, training)
• No overhead hazards
• Ground level work only

Timeline: When Will This Be Sorted?

Real-world timelines (normal storm, not national disaster):

• Emergency response: 90 minutes to 4 hours
• Emergency works (make safe): Same day
• Insurance approval: 3-10 days
• Full removal: Within 2 weeks of approval
• Fence repair: 1-3 weeks after tree removed
• Total time: 3-5 weeks from "tree fell" to "garden back to normal"

Named storm (Storm Eunice, etc.)? Add 2-4 weeks. Everyone gets hit at once.

Final Checklist: Tree Fell Action Plan

1. ☐ Safety check—powerlines, structural danger, people safe
2. ☐ Photograph everything—tree, damage, location, root system
3. ☐ Don't cut it yet—insurance may need to see it
4. ☐ Call emergency arborist if dangerous/on structure
5. ☐ Get emergency works done (keep receipts)
6. ☐ Call your insurance (buildings for fence/shed, contents for stuff)
7. ☐ Get arborist report on why tree fell
8. ☐ Talk to neighbour (calmly, share info)
9. ☐ Approve quote and schedule full removal

Need Help Right Now?

UK Landscaping Response: 0333 600 0990

24/7 emergency line. NPTC-certified arborists. 90-minute emergency response. Crane access. Insurance-grade quotes. £5M liability cover.

We wrote this guide because we get the same questions on every callout. Now you know what we know.

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