Short answer: If a tree falls on your house, get everyone out of the damaged area, stay clear of wires, photograph everything and call your insurer. Removing it should be left to a professional crew that lifts it off in sections so they don't cause more damage.
Tree down? Safety first
- Stay away from wires. Assume any line touching a tree is live. Call your electric utility or 911. Don't try to move limbs off lines.
- Get out if the structure is damaged. If a tree has come through the roof, leave that part of the house until it's checked.
- Take photos of the tree and damage before anything is moved, for your insurance claim.
- Don't run a chainsaw on a loaded tree. Trees resting on a roof, or bent under tension, can spring or roll when cut.
How a crew removes a tree from a roof
The weight of a fallen tree is often what's holding the damage in place. Experienced crews take it off in sections, top down, using rigging lines, a bucket truck or a crane so pieces are lifted off rather than dragged across the roof. That's why this is not a DIY job, and why prices vary so much from job to job.
Insurance steps
- Photograph everything before the tree is moved.
- Call your insurer to start the claim.
- Prevent further damage (tarping is commonly expected). Keep receipts.
- Get a written invoice from the tree contractor describing the work.
After the tree is off
You'll typically need a roofer, and sometimes a contractor for framing or a water-damage company. The tree crew handles the tree, not the roof.