A lot of people think an emergency tree job means a huge storm and a crushed roof. In practice, it can be one big limb on a driveway, a trunk resting on a fence, or a tree that suddenly leans after heavy rain.
Pocketcommittee Tree Service is a referral service. We do not cut or haul anything ourselves. We connect homeowners in the Memphis area with independent providers in our network who handle fallen tree removal and storm tree clearance. This page explains what counts as urgent, how the work usually goes, what drives the price, and what to ask before anyone starts. Signs first, saws second. Knowing what you are looking at helps you make calm choices when the yard looks like a mess.
Tree Down? Safety Comes First
Step back and look from a distance. A fallen tree can hide danger in plain sight. Branches can be under tension, and the trunk can shift without warning.
Keep kids and pets inside. Stay well away from the tree and anything tangled in it.
Treat Every Wire as Live
A lot of people think a downed line is safe if the lights are still off. In practice, you cannot tell by looking. Stay far back, and report the line to your utility company.
Myth: A Chainsaw and a Spare Afternoon Will Do It
A lot of homeowners think a quick cut solves it. A tree under stress can roll, spring, or drop a limb on the person cutting. This is why many people leave storm-damaged wood to trained providers with the right gear.
What Counts as an Urgent Tree Problem
Not every messy tree is an emergency. These usually are:
- A tree or large limb resting on your house, garage, or car
- A trunk blocking a driveway or the only way out
- A tree tangled in power or phone lines
- A leaning tree with fresh soil cracks or lifted roots
- A split trunk or a big limb hanging by a thread
A small branch on the lawn can usually wait for a normal visit.
Look Before It Leans
Most trees warn you first. Watch for mushrooms at the base, hollow sounds, dead branches at the top, and bark that peels off in sheets. Acting on those signs keeps a later job smaller and clearer in price.
Myth: Only Giant Storms Bring Trees Down
Hot, humid summers feed sudden thunderstorms with strong gusts. Ice storms add heavy weight to limbs. Remnants of tropical systems can soak the ground for days. Wet soil loosens roots, and a tree that stood for decades can tip on an ordinary windy night.
How Storm and Fallen Tree Removal Works
The process is simpler than most people expect.
The Assessment
A provider looks at the tree, the damage, and what is nearby. They check for lines, structures, and slope. This is also when you can ask for a written quote.
Making It Safe
Often the first goal is to secure the site. That can mean cutting weight off a tree piece by piece, so nothing drops on the roof or the yard.
Clearing and Cleanup
Once the tree is down and cut, the wood is hauled off or stacked, depending on your agreement. Ask what cleanup is included before work starts. Leftover stumps are a separate job.
Trees on Houses and Fences
Homes here range from older mill-era houses to newer subdivisions. Brick and vinyl siding, crawl spaces, and slab foundations all react differently to impact. A provider may use a crane or careful rigging so the trunk does not push further into the structure.
Working With Your Insurance
Some policies may cover sudden storm damage, but coverage depends on your plan and the cause. Check your policy and talk to your insurer. Many providers can help document the damage for a claim, so take photos before anything moves if it is safe to do so.
After a Big Storm: What to Expect
After widespread storms, many homeowners call at once. Providers may be booked, and some jobs get sorted by risk. A tree on a home usually comes before a tree in the back corner. Many providers can respond quickly when the need is urgent, but availability varies.
Be patient with the order of work, and ask for a rough timeframe.
What Drives the Price
Emergency work often costs more than planned work. Size, access, crane use, power lines, and after-hours demand all push the total up. Typical U.S. prices vary widely by job, so treat any range as a rough guide. Get the quote written so the scope is clear.
Preventing the Next Storm Problem
Signs first, saws second. A yearly walk around your yard goes a long way. Look at the crown, the trunk, and the soil near the base. Remove dead wood before storm season. If a tree has a lean that is new, have a provider look at it before the next front moves through.
Questions to Ask the Provider
A short list helps you compare quotes calmly:
- Does the quote include cutting, hauling, and cleanup?
- Will a crane or extra crew change the price?
- Can you document the damage for my insurance claim?
- What is the plan for protecting my roof and yard?
- What is the earliest the work could start?
Request a callback to check provider availability in your area.
What's Included
Fallen Tree Removal
Providers cut and clear trees and large limbs that have come down on your property.
Storm Tree Clearance
Help with driveways, fences, yards, and roofs blocked or damaged after thunderstorms and ice.
Hazard Tree Assessment
A provider checks leaning or split trees and explains what is safe to leave and what is not.
Damage Photos
Many providers can help document damage for an insurance claim.
Typical Emergency Tree Removal Costs
Urgent jobs cost more than planned ones. These are typical U.S. ranges, and your price will vary by tree size, access, and risk, so always get a written quote.
| Job | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small fallen tree or large limb | $300 – $1,000 | Clear yard access, no structure damage |
| Medium tree down in yard | $800 – $2,500 | Depends on trunk size and haul-away |
| Large tree down, no damage | $1,500 – $4,000 | Extra crew and equipment may apply |
| Tree on house or garage | $2,000 – $8,000+ | Rigging or crane often needed |
| Crane add-on | $500 – $2,500 | Used for tight or risky lifts |
| Tree tangled in power lines | $1,000 – $5,000 | Utility may need to act first |
How It Works
Stay Back, Stay Safe
Keep people and pets away from the tree and any wires, and take photos from a distance.
Reach Out
Request a callback to check provider availability, or send an estimate request.
Review the Quote
A provider looks at the job and explains the scope and price in writing.
Work and Cleanup
The provider makes the site safe, removes the tree, and clears debris as agreed.
Why Call Pocketcommittee Tree Service
Signs Before Saws
Learn the early warnings so smaller problems get handled before they turn into emergencies.
Clear Pricing
We explain what drives costs so a written quote makes sense.
Local Providers
Independent providers in our network know the area's weather and tree types.
No Obligation
Request an estimate and decide on your own with nothing owed to us.
Other Services
Need emergency tree removal in Memphis?
Request a callback to check provider availability, or send a request describing your tree. A provider can follow up with next steps. There is no obligation.
No obligationEmergency Tree Removal FAQ
What should I do first when a tree falls on my house?
Get everyone out of the area, stay away from wires, and take photos from a safe distance. Then contact your insurer and ask a provider about safe removal.
Does homeowners insurance cover emergency tree removal?
Some policies may cover sudden storm damage and removal when a tree hits a structure. Rules vary by plan and cause, so check your policy. Providers can often help document the damage for a claim.
How much does emergency tree removal cost?
Typical U.S. costs run from a few hundred dollars for a small fallen limb to several thousand when a tree hits a house or needs a crane. Prices vary by job, so ask for the quote in writing.
Request a callback
Request a callback to check provider availability, or send a request describing your tree. A provider can follow up with next steps. There is no obligation.
No obligation