If a tree falls on your roof, get everyone out of the damaged part of the house, and stay away from any downed power lines. Shut off power and gas if it is safe and you smell gas or see damaged wiring. Take photos, call your insurer, and get a tree service to remove the tree before the roof is tarped and repaired.
First, safety
- Leave rooms under the tree, and the house if there is major damage
- Stay far from downed or sagging power lines and call the utility
- If you smell gas, leave and call the gas company from outside
- Do not climb on the roof or try to cut the tree yourself
- Watch for cracked ceilings, bowing walls and doors that will not close
Step by step
Document
Take photos and video of the tree on the roof, inside damage and the yard, before anything is moved.
Call your insurer
Report the claim and ask about tree removal coverage and emergency repairs.
Remove the tree
A tree service with a crane or rigging lifts it off without more damage.
Tarp the roof
Right after removal, the hole is covered to keep rain out.
Inspect
A roofer checks decking, rafters and the roof around the impact.
Repair
Broken rafters, decking and roofing are replaced.
What insurance usually covers
Most homeowner policies cover damage to the house when a tree falls on it from wind, lightning or another covered cause, even if the tree was healthy. Tree removal is often covered only when the tree hits a covered structure, and many policies cap tree removal, sometimes around $500 to $1,000 per tree. If a tree was dead or rotting and the owner knew, coverage may be denied. Read your policy and ask your agent. See does insurance cover roof leaks.
What if it was my neighbor’s tree?
Usually your own homeowner policy covers damage to your house, no matter whose tree it was. If the neighbor knew the tree was dead or dangerous and did nothing, your insurer may try to collect from them. That is between the insurers.
Why the damage is often worse than it looks
A tree can crack rafters and trusses, push decking loose several feet from the impact point, and shift the ridge. Branches can puncture the roof in more than one place. That is why the roof needs a full check after removal, not just a patch where the trunk hit. See roof decking repair and storm damage roof repair.
Trees and storms around Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff has plenty of tall pines and oaks near homes. When the remnants of Hurricane Isaac came through on 30 August 2012, trees hit about 10 homes, according to NOAA. Ice storms, like January 2025, snap limbs under the weight of ice. Straight-line winds in severe thunderstorms bring down trees every spring.
Preventing it
- Have large trees near the house checked by an arborist every few years.
- Remove dead trees and limbs hanging over the roof.
- Keep branches trimmed several feet back from the roof.
After the tree is off
We tarp the opening the same day when we can, inspect the framing and roof with photos, and give you a written price for the repair to share with your insurer. See emergency roof tarping.
Who removes a tree from my roof?
A tree service with the right equipment. Roofers tarp and repair after it is off.
Does insurance pay to remove a fallen tree?
Often, when it hits a covered structure, usually with a dollar limit.
Can I stay in my house after a tree falls on it?
Only if the damaged area is closed off and the rest of the house is safe and has power.
How long does repair take after a tree hits a roof?
Tarping is same day or next. Framing and roof repairs may take several days once approved.