What To Do If a Tree Falls on Your Yard in Champaign, IL
When a tree falls in your Champaign yard, quick action is essential for minimizing damage and cost, especially if your house has been hit. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what to do when heavy storm damage leaves you with an unexpected yard decoration.
Why Trees Fall in Champaign, IL?
Did you know there have been 84 tornadoes in Champaign County over the past 73 years? Unpredictable Illinois weather is often the culprit behind trees crashing down in our yards. From thunderstorms with high winds to winter ice accumulation, Champaign residents face multiple threats to their trees year-round.
But violent storms aren’t the only villains here. Older, dying, or diseased trees are significantly more likely to topple, even during milder weather events. So, let’s learn what you can do if such days come!
Ensure Safety First
When a tree fell in your yard, safety came first. So, make sure to keep everyone away from the fallen tree and look for downed power lines. Then, call 911 if needed.
Assess the damage to your home and evacuate if the structure seems unstable. Turn off utilities if you suspect line damage.
What to Do After Ensuring Safety
Once you know everyone is safe, grab your phone and document the damage. Take photos from multiple angles, as it is important for your tree damage insurance claim.
Next, call your agent to file homeowners insurance right away. Don’t wait to find out whether the cause was natural or not, because that’s for the adjuster to determine.
Make sure to cover any exposed areas of your home with tarps. If you need to stay elsewhere, keep all receipts.
Finally, research a reliable tree removal service in Champaign to get an estimate.
Who Is Responsible for Tree Removal?
Now there are two scenarios.
- One: The tree grew on your property.
- Two: The tree grew on your neighbor’s property.
So, who is responsible for the removal?
Well, the answer is simple! If it grew on your property, you’re generally responsible for removal, even if you think wind caused it to fall. On the other hand, when your neighbor’s tree crashes onto your property during a storm, surprisingly, your own insurance typically covers it as these are considered “acts of God” that are no one’s fault.
However, if you can prove they knew the tree was dying and did nothing, try filing a claim with their insurance instead.
But what if there is no structural damage? Unfortunately, most policies won’t cover removal unless the tree has blocked access to your home.
Who to Call for Help?
If a large tree falls on your yard, do yourself a favor: try not to remove the tree yourself.
Because what may look manageable can be deadly dangerous. Moreover, the extent of damage often runs deeper than what’s visible. Contact a professional tree service that specializes in emergency tree removal.
Make sure they’re fully insured and can provide a proper tree risk assessment before work begins. This protects both your property and their workers.
Tips for Preventing Future Tree Falls
While taking the right measures to remove the fallen tree is important, it is more important to take precautions to prevent future falls. So here is what you can do:
- Schedule regular inspections by an expert arborist team who can spot problems before they become dangerous.
- Look out for signs a tree needs to be removed: leaning trunk, dead limbs, fungus growth, and hollow bases all signal trouble.
- Invest in tree trimming before storm season hits Champaign, especially for branches hanging over your roof.
- After storms, walk your property to check for new damage that might make trees hazardous.
- Tell neighbors if you notice concerning issues with their trees that could affect your property.
Need a Tree Removed Fast? Call Clean Green Tree Service Today!
When disaster strikes in Champaign, Clean Green Tree Service is ready to help.
Our local team always responds quickly with professional emergency tree service. We also provide expert tree removal, tree trimming, and stump grinding for any situation.
So, don’t let a fallen tree become a bigger problem. Call us today at 217-688-1857, and we’ll send our experienced crew to safely handle your tree emergency.