Urgent · Storm damage
Emergency tree removal and storm damage
A tree on the roof, a limb hanging over the driveway or a trunk across the yard. Here's what to do first, and how we make it safe.
First, stay safe
- Power lines down or touching the tree: keep at least 8 m away and call Ausgrid on 13 13 88.
- Danger to life: call 000.
- Storm damage to your home and you need help making it safe: the NSW SES is on 132 500.
- Keep people and pets away from hanging branches. They can drop without warning.
- Take photos of the tree and any damage before anything is moved. Your insurer will want them.
What we do
Call us with the suburb and what's happened. Urgent and storm jobs are prioritised. The crew makes the site safe first, removing the hazard and anything still hanging, then comes back for the full clean-up if needed.
Council rules for dangerous trees
Councils allow for genuinely dangerous and dead trees, but each handles it differently:
- Mosman: trees an AQF Level 5 arborist confirms are high risk can be removed where Council agrees, and dead trees Council is satisfied are dead are exempt.
- North Sydney: dead trees are exempt if an AQF Level 3+ arborist confirms in writing that they're dead and not needed as habitat.
- Lane Cove: claims of safety risk or property damage need an AQF Level 5 arborist report.
- Ku-ring-gai: dead, dying or dangerous trees are exempt only once Council confirms in writing that it's satisfied. Email Council photos and your address.
Photos, the arborist's notes and the date of the storm are your record if council asks later. See the council permit guide.
Emergency tree removal by suburb
We cover the lower and upper north shore. Local pages:
Common questions
Will my insurance cover tree removal?
Many home policies cover removing a tree that fell in a storm and damaged the house, but not trees that fell without causing damage. Check your policy and photograph everything before work starts.
Can you remove a dangerous tree without waiting for a permit?
Making a site safe after a storm is treated differently from planned removal, but councils still expect evidence. Get an arborist to document the tree's condition, keep the photos, and tell council what was done.
Need a tree looked at?
Tell us the suburb and send a photo. We'll tell you what's involved, whether council needs to approve it, and what it should cost.