A tree coming down in a storm is alarming, and the instinct is to get out there and deal with it. The single most important thing you can do is slow down — a fallen tree is more dangerous in the first minutes than people realise.
First: keep your distance
Stay well clear of the tree and anything it's touching. A downed tree can be under enormous spring tension and shift without warning, and you have no way of knowing what's loaded until it lets go. Keep family and pets back, and don't climb on or under it to "have a look."
Treat every wire as live
If the tree is on or near power lines, assume the lines are live and the tree is energized — including the ground around it. Stay back, keep everyone away, and call your hydro provider and emergency services. Never approach a tree tangled in wires, and never try to move branches off a line yourself. This is the one that gets people hurt.
The tree's already down. The job now is making sure nobody gets hurt cleaning it up — starting with you.
Then make the calls
- If it's on the house or blocking access — contact emergency services if anyone's at risk, then a professional tree service for safe removal.
- If power lines are involved — call your hydro utility first; they handle the lines before anyone touches the tree.
- For insurance — photograph the damage once it's safe to do so; documented site reports help your claim.
Leave the cutting to a crew
Storm-damaged trees are full of tension, awkward weight, and hidden breaks — exactly the conditions that turn a chainsaw into a hospital visit. It's not a DIY job. Our 24/7 emergency line across Waterloo Region is answered by a person, and we coordinate with your insurance directly. If a tree's come down, call (226) 263-2319 and we'll dispatch the closest crew.