Emergency Tree Work
Emergency tree work for hanging limbs and storm-damaged standing trees across County Durham and North Yorkshire. Call for risk-led advice.
Call 07423 269635. If safe, send photos of the whole tree, the damage and what is underneath. We’ll triage the risk and explain the next step.
What our customers say
“I was recommended Ross to cut down and trim a large conifer hedge.”
“He came out quickly after getting in contact to assess what needed doing and provide a quote.”
“Very professional and educated me what was the best way to do the job.”
“He was quick, efficient and did a great job of clearing away.”
“Will definitely be using again and recommending to others.”
- NPTC qualified
- LANTRA qualified
- £10M public liability insurance
- BS3998 standard
Urgent tree work, not routine maintenance
Emergency tree work is for a standing or damaged tree that presents an immediate hazard: a hanging limb, split stem, storm-damaged crown or tree leaning into a building, road, path or occupied area. Call us or send safe photos so we can triage the risk and decide what needs to happen first.
A tree that has already fallen belongs on our fallen tree removal page. Keeping those intents separate matters because a fallen tree and a damaged standing tree need different controls.
When to call about a tree emergency
- Hanging or split limbs
- Branches caught in a crown, split at a union or suspended above a property, vehicle, path or road.
- Storm-damaged standing trees
- Root movement, a newly leaning tree, a split stem or major crown damage after high winds.
- Damage to structures
- Tree or limb contact with a roof, wall, fence, vehicle or access route where movement could make the situation worse.
- Immediate public risk
- Danger over a public path or road. Keep people away and tell us exactly what access is affected.
What can usually wait
A gradual lean with no soil movement, small dead branches over an open area, cracks with no recent movement and fungal brackets without other warning signs usually need a planned assessment or tree safety report, not an emergency call-out. Keep people clear and arrange advice before the condition changes.
What happens after your call
- Triage. We ask what happened, what remains standing, what is underneath and whether anyone is at risk.
- Make safe. The first objective is to remove or stabilise the immediate hazard using a controlled method.
- Clear and record. We agree what can be cleared immediately and what follow-up work, permissions or specialist input is needed.
- Plan the remainder. Tidy-up, stump grinding, pruning or full removal is quoted separately when it’s safe to do so. These are services we also provide. See our stump grinding, tree pruning and tree removal pages.
What's not included
Planned pruning, tidy-up beyond the make-safe scope and work involving live utilities before the utility provider is involved aren’t included in an emergency call-out.
Safety boundaries for emergency call-outs
Don’t stand below a hanging limb, approach a tensioned stem or cut a storm-damaged tree yourself. Keep people and vehicles outside the area. If electrical equipment or a live cable is involved, contact the utility provider or emergency services first and stay clear. A public road or footpath may also need the relevant authority or traffic control.
We work subject to safe access, daylight, weather, equipment and current call-outs. Same-day attendance can’t be promised before the risk and location are understood. We’ll be clear about what we can do and when.
Permissions, waste and insurance
We check Tree Preservation Orders and conservation-area restrictions where the situation allows. Emergency exemptions are limited to the work needed to remove an immediate risk, and the condition should be documented. The quote states what timber and green waste will be removed or left and whether stump work is included.
We carry £10 million public liability insurance and prepare a site-specific risk assessment and method statement for the work. If your insurer is involved, tell us at the first call so the records can match the claim.
Emergency tree work pricing
Urgency, time of day, tree condition, access, proximity to people or structures, equipment, traffic controls, waste volumes and follow-up work all affect the price. We give the clearest price possible after triage or a site assessment. Emergency make-safe work and later tidy-up may be separate stages.
Qualified and insured. NPTC and LANTRA qualified. £10M public liability insurance. Site-specific risk assessment and method statement. Call first if the risk is immediate.
What customers ask
Common questions
Do you provide a 24-hour emergency tree service?
We prioritise immediate hazards according to risk, access, weather, daylight, equipment and current call-outs. Call with the location and details and we’ll tell you the next available safe response rather than promise a time we can’t keep.
What should I do while waiting?
Keep people and vehicles away, don’t stand under the tree or cut a tensioned limb, and contact the utility provider or emergency services first if electricity or a public road is involved.
Is a fallen tree emergency work?
A tree that has already fallen is handled through our fallen tree removal service. A damaged standing tree, hanging limb or split stem belongs on this emergency page.
Can you make a dangerous tree safe first?
Yes. Triage and make-safe work come before secondary tidy-up where the site allows. We explain any follow-up removal, pruning or stump work separately.
How much does emergency tree work cost?
The price depends on the hazard, urgency, access, equipment, waste and any traffic or public controls. We assess the situation and provide a clear quote for the immediate scope.
Is a standing tree or limb unsafe?
Call 07423 269635. If safe, send photos of the whole tree, the damage and what is underneath. We’ll triage the risk and explain the next step.