Advice
Storm-damaged trees: what to do first
Practical steps after a storm brings down a tree or limb in Fife, Dundee, Angus or Perthshire — safety, insurance, who is responsible and when to call a tree surgeon.
Scotland's named winter storms reliably bring down trees and limbs across Fife and Tayside, and the damage is rarely as simple as it looks from the kitchen window. A tree resting on a fence can be holding enormous stored tension; a tree that is still standing can be more dangerous than one already on the ground. These are the steps we advise customers to take before anyone goes near it.
Make the area safe, then stop
Keep people, pets and vehicles well clear, ideally at a distance greater than the height of the tree. Assume any tree that has moved is unstable. If a tree is touching or near overhead power lines, do not approach it at all — report it to the network operator, who will attend as an emergency.
Do not attempt to cut a fallen or partly fallen tree yourself. Wind-thrown trees and hung-up limbs hold compression and tension that release violently when cut in the wrong place. This is the single most common cause of serious chainsaw injury.
Photograph everything before anything moves
Insurers will want evidence. Photograph the tree, the damage to any property, and the wider scene from a safe distance before any clearance work happens. Keep the quote and invoice from your tree surgeon, and note the date and the storm name if it had one.
Who is responsible?
Generally the owner of the land the tree grew on is responsible for it, including where it has fallen onto a neighbour's property. Liability for damage usually depends on whether the owner knew, or should reasonably have known, that the tree was unsafe — which is why records of regular inspection and maintenance matter for large trees.
Trees on council land, on trunk-road verges or in parks are the responsibility of the relevant authority: Fife Council, Dundee City Council, Angus Council or Perth & Kinross Council.
What we do on a storm call-out
Emergency work is about getting the situation stable and safe first, and tidy second.
- Assess the tension and direction of load before any cut is made.
- Clear access routes, driveways and anything blocking a road or path as the priority.
- Dismantle and section the tree in controlled stages, using rigging where a limb cannot simply be dropped.
- Check the remaining trees nearby — storm damage often loosens root plates on neighbouring trees that look untouched.
- Remove arisings, grind the stump if wanted, and leave the ground clear.
Preventing the next one
Most storm failures are predictable. Dense, unthinned crowns act like sails; decayed unions, fungal brackets at the base, and heaving soil around the root plate are all warning signs. A sensible crown reduction on an exposed tree, especially in coastal Fife and Angus gardens, is a great deal cheaper than the emergency call and the fence.
Need this doing?
We carry out emergency tree work across Fife, Dundee, Angus and Perthshire. See our tree surgeon page or call for a free, no-obligation quote.
Common questions
- Does home insurance cover storm-damaged trees?
- Most buildings policies cover damage the tree causes to your property, but many do not cover the cost of removing the tree itself unless it has damaged something insured. Check your policy wording and keep photographs.
- My neighbour's tree fell into my garden — who pays?
- Usually the tree's owner is responsible, but liability for damage often depends on whether the tree was known to be unsafe. In practice both insurers are commonly involved, so document everything.
- How quickly can you attend an emergency?
- Call 07361 488 565 and describe the situation. We prioritise trees blocking access or threatening property, and cover Fife, Dundee, Angus and Perthshire.
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