If a tree falls on your house, get everyone out and away first, treat every power line as live, and do not climb or cut anything. Photograph the damage thoroughly before anything is moved, then call your insurer. Emergency tarping and removal do not have to wait for the adjuster, because policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage and generally reimburse those costs when you keep receipts.
A tree through the roof is one of the few home emergencies where doing things in the wrong order can hurt you twice — physically in the first hour, and financially when the insurance claim is reviewed. This is the sequence that protects both.
1. Get people out and away
If the tree hit the living space — not just a gutter or a corner of the roof — get everyone out of the affected rooms and preferably out of the house. Structural damage isn't always visible from inside: a trunk resting on a ridge beam can shift hours later, especially in wind. If anyone is hurt, or you smell gas, call 911 and get clear of the building. Don't go back in for belongings.
2. Treat every line as live
If the tree brought wires down with it — or is resting on them — assume they're energized, even if the power is out. Stay at least 30 feet away, keep kids and pets inside or off the property, and report it to BGE at 1-877-778-2222. Never let anyone (including a tree crew) touch a tree that's in contact with a line until the utility clears it. No reputable company will work on it before then.
3. Don't climb, don't cut
The most dangerous phase of a fallen tree is after it lands. A trunk on a roof is under load in ways you can't see — cutting a limb can release stored tension violently or shift the whole tree deeper into the structure. Chainsaw injuries spike after every Maryland storm, and they're overwhelmingly homeowners, not crews. Leave the tree exactly where it is.
4. Document everything, then call your insurer
Before anything is moved: photos and video, wide shots and close-ups, from every safe angle — the tree on the structure, interior damage, water coming in, the failure point on the trunk. Then open a claim with your homeowners insurer. Tree-on-house damage from a storm is a covered peril under nearly every policy, and the removal is typically part of the claim — we cover the details (including the neighbor's-tree question) in our guide to insurance and tree removal in Maryland.
Two things adjusters consistently want: proof of the damage before cleanup, and receipts for any emergency work. Keep every invoice.
5. Emergency tarping and removal — you don't have to wait for the adjuster
Policies require you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage — that's what emergency tarping and tree removal are. You do not need to wait days for an adjuster to visit before getting the tree off the house and the hole covered; you need documentation (step 4) and receipts. A proper emergency tree crew will use a crane or rigging to lift the tree off the structure rather than dragging it, which is what prevents the second round of damage.
6. Be careful who you hire in storm week
After every major blow in Howard County, out-of-state trucks appear, knock on doors, and quote cash prices on the spot. Some are fine; many are uninsured, and a few will take deposits and vanish. Ask for proof of insurance before anyone touches the property — if a crew member is hurt on your land and the company isn't covered, that can become your problem. Our storm damage checklist has the full vetting list.
What happens when you call us
We answer 24/7, ask for your photos, and can usually give a rough scope by phone. Crane removal off a structure, tarping, and documented invoicing for your claim are standard. If the tree missed the house and is just down in the yard, it's not an emergency price — it's a normal tree removal, scheduled normally, and you'll pay less.
Tree on the house right now? Call 410-826-9006 — 24/7 emergency line for all of Howard County.
Frequently asked questions
What should you do immediately when a tree falls on your house?
Get everyone out and away from the affected area, and treat every power line near the tree as energized. Do not climb on the roof or attempt to cut anything, because a trunk resting on a structure is under load and can shift without warning. If you smell gas or the structure appears compromised, evacuate and call 911.
Do you have to wait for the insurance adjuster before removing the tree?
No. Homeowners policies expect you to mitigate further damage, which includes emergency tarping and making the situation safe, and they generally reimburse reasonable costs for doing so. Photograph everything before the work begins and keep itemized receipts, so the adjuster can reconstruct what happened.
How do you avoid storm-chasing contractors after a tree falls?
Be cautious about anyone who shows up unsolicited during storm week, demands large cash payment upfront, or cannot provide written documentation. Ask for a written, itemized invoice separating removal, debris hauling, and tarping, along with a clear cause note. Adjusters process clean documentation quickly and question vague cash receipts.