Emergency Tree Service — Day or Night
When a tree falls on your home at 2 AM or a storm takes out half the trees on your block, you need a crew that answers the phone, shows up fast, and knows what they are doing. Our emergency line is staffed around the clock, and our crews are equipped for the worst Southern Wisconsin weather can throw.
Types of Tree Emergencies We Handle
Every tree emergency is different. Our crews are trained and equipped to handle the full range of scenarios — from a single limb on a car to a neighborhood-wide storm event.
Storm Damage Response & Cleanup
Southern Wisconsin's severe thunderstorms, derechos, and ice storms bring down trees across homes, vehicles, driveways, and roadways. Our storm response crews deploy with grapple trucks, chippers, and chainsaws to clear debris quickly and safely. We prioritize life-safety situations first, then property protection, then access restoration. After major storms, we work extended hours until the backlog is cleared.
Fallen Tree on Structure
A tree on your home is an immediate emergency. The weight of the tree can cause progressive structural damage, and exposed roofing allows water intrusion that compounds the problem with every hour. Our crews carefully remove the tree in controlled sections to prevent additional damage, then tarp any exposed areas to weatherproof your home until repairs can begin. We document everything for your insurance claim.
Hazardous Tree Stabilization
Not every emergency requires immediate removal. Sometimes a partially failed tree — one that has cracked but not fully separated, or one that is leaning but still attached — can be stabilized temporarily until conditions allow safe removal. We assess the failure, determine if stabilization is viable, and either secure the tree or establish an exclusion zone until the full removal can be performed.
Power Line Emergencies
Trees in contact with power lines are life-threatening. Never approach a tree touching a power line — even a downed line that appears dead can re-energize at any time. Call your utility company first, then call us. Once the line is de-energized by the utility, our crews remove the tree from the area safely. We maintain strict OSHA compliance for all work near electrical infrastructure.
Our Emergency Response Process
From the moment you call to the final cleanup, here is exactly what happens during an emergency tree service call.
Call Our 24/7 Line
Call (608) 751-4171 any time, day or night. Our dispatcher will assess the situation, ask key questions about safety and property damage, and triage your call against the current queue.
Rapid Triage & Dispatch
We prioritize based on severity: life-safety emergencies first, then trees on structures, then access blockages, then non-urgent hazards. You will receive an estimated arrival window and a callback number for your assigned crew leader.
On-Site Assessment & Verbal Estimate
When our crew arrives, the lead arborist assesses the situation and provides a verbal cost estimate before work begins. We take photos of the damage for your records and insurance documentation.
Emergency Removal & Cleanup
Our crew removes the tree in controlled sections, chips all brush on-site, and clears the area. If roof or structural exposure exists, we tarp affected areas. You receive a detailed invoice with photos for your insurance claim.
What to Do When a Tree Falls on Your House
A tree on your home is frightening, but following these steps will keep your family safe and protect your insurance claim.
Evacuate the affected area
Get everyone away from the damaged section of the home. Do not go back in to retrieve belongings until the tree is removed and the structure is assessed.
Check for downed power lines
If you see any wires near the tree or on the ground, stay far away and call your utility company immediately. Assume all downed wires are live.
Call Tree Wise Men at (608) 751-4171
Our dispatcher will triage your situation and get a crew heading your way. Be ready to describe where the tree hit and whether anyone is injured.
Contact your insurance company
Open a claim as soon as possible. Most carriers have 24/7 claim lines. Write down the claim number and adjuster's name for your records.
Document everything with photos
Before any work begins, take photos and video from multiple angles showing the tree's position, the damage to your home, and the overall scene. This documentation is critical for your claim.
Do not attempt DIY removal
A tree resting on a structure is under tension and compression in ways that are not obvious. Cutting in the wrong place can cause the tree to shift, collapse further into the house, or spring in unexpected directions.
Insurance Claim Assistance for Storm Damage
Navigating a tree damage insurance claim is stressful, especially when you are also dealing with a damaged home. We have helped hundreds of homeowners through the claims process and know exactly what adjusters need to approve tree removal and related damage repairs.
- Detailed, itemized invoices that match insurance coding standards
- Before-and-after photos documenting the damage and our work
- Descriptions of work performed in language adjusters understand
- Direct communication with your adjuster when questions arise
- Emergency tarping and temporary weatherproofing documentation
- Separate line items for tree removal, debris hauling, and stump grinding
For a complete guide on how tree removal insurance claims work, visit our emergency tree removal insurance claims page.
Related Emergency Services
Learn more about our specialized emergency and removal services.
Emergency Tree Service FAQs
Questions about emergency response times, insurance, and what to do during a tree emergency.
How quickly can you respond to an emergency tree situation?▾
For active emergencies — trees on homes, blocking roads, or involving power lines — we aim to have a crew on-site within 2 to 4 hours during business hours and within 4 to 6 hours after-hours. During major storm events affecting the entire region, response times may be longer due to call volume, but we triage based on severity: life safety first, then property protection, then access restoration.
What should I do if a tree falls on my house?▾
First, make sure everyone is out of the affected area of the home. If power lines are involved, stay away and call the utility company immediately. Then call us at (608) 751-4171. Do not attempt to move the tree yourself — shifting the load incorrectly can cause additional structural damage. Take photos for your insurance claim before any work begins. We can tarp exposed roofing to prevent water damage until permanent repairs are made.
Does homeowners insurance cover emergency tree removal?▾
In most cases, yes. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers tree removal when the tree has damaged a covered structure (home, garage, fence, shed). If the tree fell but did not damage anything, coverage varies by policy. We work with all insurance carriers, provide the documentation adjusters need, and can communicate directly with your adjuster on your behalf. Visit our insurance claims guide for more detail.
Do you handle trees on power lines?▾
We do not work on trees that are in direct contact with energized power lines — that is the utility company's responsibility, and only their trained line crews should handle it. Once the utility has de-energized the line or cleared the immediate electrical hazard, we handle the tree removal. If a tree is near power lines but not touching them, our crews use non-conductive tools and maintain OSHA-required clearance distances.
What is the cost of emergency tree removal?▾
Emergency tree removal costs vary based on the size and location of the tree, time of day, and complexity. Emergency work typically costs 20-50% more than standard removal due to urgency, after-hours mobilization, and the inherent difficulty of working on damaged, unstable trees. We provide a verbal estimate before starting work and follow up with written documentation for your insurance claim.
Can you help with my insurance claim after storm damage?▾
Yes. We provide detailed invoices that itemize the work performed, photos documenting the damage before and after, and descriptions that align with what insurance adjusters need to process claims. We have worked with every major carrier in Wisconsin and understand the documentation standards they require. We can also speak directly with your adjuster if questions arise about the scope of work.
Tree Emergency? Call Now.
Our 24/7 emergency line connects you directly to a dispatcher who will get a crew heading your way. Do not wait — call Tree Wise Men now.