First: make the area safe
Before you think about cleanup, check for hazards. A fallen tree can be more dangerous than it looks.
- Power lines. If the tree is touching or near a utility line, treat the line as live. Stay well back and contact your electric utility and emergency services.
- Hanging or broken limbs. Broken branches caught in nearby trees (often called “widowmakers”) can drop without warning.
- Stored tension. Trunks and limbs that are bent, pinned or wedged can spring when cut. Cutting them is a job for experienced people with the right equipment.
- Damaged structures. If the tree is on a house, garage or vehicle, keep away from anything that looks unstable and see our guide to tree damage to your roof.
If anyone is hurt or a line is down, call emergency services first and the tree can wait.
Decide what kind of fallen tree you have
A few quick questions shape the rest of your plan.
- Where did it land? On open lawn is very different from across a driveway, against a fence or leaning on another tree.
- How big is it? Small branches are a raking and bundling job. A trunk many inches thick usually is not a casual DIY task.
- Is it still attached? Some trees uproot with a tilted root ball, others snap. A tree that is partly down and partly standing is unpredictable.
- Was it healthy? A tree that failed from decay, disease or pests changes what you can safely do with the wood. See tree root rot treatment for one common cause.
Taking photos before anything is moved is a good habit, especially if insurance may be involved.
When to call a professional
Consider hiring a qualified, insured tree service (many homeowners look for a certified arborist) when:
- the tree is large, or rests on or against a building, fence or vehicle
- it is near power lines
- it is hung up in other trees or under tension
- the root ball has lifted and could settle back
- you would need to use a chainsaw above shoulder height or without training
It is reasonable to ask for a written quote and proof of insurance, and to be wary of anyone who knocks on your door right after a storm offering immediate work.
Can a fallen tree be saved?
Sometimes, but the odds depend on the tree. A small or young tree that has tipped over with most of its roots still in the ground can occasionally be stood back up and staked, and quick action matters. Large mature trees are generally much harder to save, because the root system has usually been badly damaged and the weight is difficult to manage safely. If you want to try, ask an arborist to assess it first. If the trunk has snapped, the tree will typically not recover as a whole, though some species may resprout from the base.
Options for the wood and branches
If the tree is safe to handle, you have more choices than the curb.
- Firewood. Cut and split the trunk into logs and let them dry in a well-ventilated spot. Seasoning commonly takes many months, and often longer for dense hardwoods.
- Mulch and wood chips. Branches can be chipped, either with a rented chipper or by a tree crew who is already on site. Chips make a useful garden mulch. See cedar mulch around fruit trees for mulching practice.
- Lumber or furniture. Larger straight trunks may be worth milling. A local portable sawmill operator can tell you if the log is worth the effort. Thick rounds also make stools, planters or garden edging.
- Hugelkultur and compost. Woody material can be layered in a raised bed or stacked to rot slowly.
- Wildlife habitat. A log pile left in a quiet corner shelters insects, small animals and fungi.
- Give it away. Neighbors, woodworkers and firewood users sometimes will collect free wood.
How to get rid of fallen tree branches
For branches you do not want to keep:
- Municipal pickup or drop-off. Many towns run curbside yard-waste collection or a transfer station or compost site. Rules on bundling, length and weight vary, so check with your local office.
- Storm debris programs. After major storms some local governments announce special collection periods.
- Dumpster rental. Useful for a large volume of debris.
- Hire a tree service or yard-cleanup crew. Often the easiest option when the tree needed professional removal anyway. Ask whether hauling away is included in the quote.
- Burning. Brush burning is restricted or banned in many areas, so confirm local rules before considering it.
What about the stump and root ball?
Removing the trunk does not automatically remove the stump. A standing stump can be ground down, left to decay, or removed. If the tree uprooted, the root ball may leave a large hole and a vertical wall of soil and roots. Tilted root plates can be unstable, so keep people and pets away until a professional has looked at it. Check for buried utilities before anyone digs or grinds, and consider contacting your local utility-locating service first.
Can you leave a fallen or dead tree in your yard?
Often yes, if it is out of the way and not a hazard. A fallen log in a far corner can become habitat and slowly return nutrients to the soil. It is a poorer idea when the tree is near a house, a path or a play area, when it could roll or shift on a slope, or when a local rule or homeowners association requires cleanup. Standing dead trees are a separate matter: they can drop limbs or fall unexpectedly, so have a professional look at any that are close to buildings or places people gather.
Moving wood from diseased or pest-affected trees
If the tree was killed by a pest or disease, such as emerald ash borer, moving the wood can spread the problem. Some areas restrict transporting firewood or logs from affected trees. Check with your local forestry or agriculture office or extension service before moving wood far, and avoid using wood from sick trees as mulch in garden beds near healthy trees.
Insurance and a neighbor’s tree
Coverage for fallen trees depends on your policy, and the details differ by insurer and location. In general, damage to a house or other covered structure from a storm-felled tree is more likely to be covered than simple removal of a tree that landed harmlessly on the lawn, and limits often apply. If the tree came from a neighbor’s yard, talk to your insurer rather than assuming who pays. Our article on tree damage to your roof goes into insurance and liability in more detail.
Check the trees that are still standing
A storm that took down one tree may have weakened others. Look for new cracks, lifted soil, hanging limbs and any lean that was not there before. Our guide to how far a tree can lean explains what to watch for and when to get a professional opinion.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tree come back up after falling?
Rarely on its own. A young tree that was only tilted may be righted and staked by a professional, but a mature tree with torn roots or a snapped trunk generally will not recover.
How long does firewood from a fallen tree need to dry?
It varies by species and conditions. Many people allow at least six months to a year or more, split and stacked off the ground with airflow.
Is it okay to cut up a fallen tree myself?
Small branches, yes, with sensible gear. Large trunks, tangled or tensioned trees and anything near wires or structures are best left to trained crews.