Emergency Tree Removal in Charlotte: What to Do When a Tree Falls

A tree just fell on your property. Maybe it crashed through the roof during a thunderstorm. Maybe it toppled across the driveway overnight and you discovered it on your way to work. Maybe it is leaning against the house and you are not sure if it is going to shift again. Whatever the situation, you need to know what to do right now, and what can wait.

Charlotte gets about 45 thunderstorm days per year, regular severe weather from spring through fall, and the occasional punch from hurricane remnants moving up from the coast. Tree failures are not rare here. They happen after every significant storm, especially in older neighborhoods like Dilworth, Myers Park, and Plaza Midwood where mature trees tower over houses. Here is the step-by-step process for dealing with a fallen tree in the Charlotte area.

Step 1: Stay Safe and Stay Away

This is the most important step and the one people most often skip. When a tree falls, the danger is not over. Here is what to watch for:

• Downed power lines. If the tree brought down power lines or is touching them, stay at least 35 feet away. Do not touch the tree, the lines, or anything the lines are touching (including fences, cars, and puddles). Downed power lines can carry lethal voltage even if they are not sparking. Call 911 immediately.
• Structural damage. If the tree hit your house, do not go inside to inspect the damage. The weight of the tree may have shifted the roof structure, and going inside could put you under a collapse risk. Wait until a professional says it is safe.
• Hanging branches. Look up. After a partial failure, there may be broken branches still caught in the canopy that could drop at any moment. These are called "widow makers" in the tree industry for a reason. Stay out from under the canopy.
• Unstable root plate. When a tree uproots, the root ball and the soil it pulls up can be unstable. If the tree is still partially standing or leaning, it could shift or continue to fall. Keep your distance.

Step 2: Call the Right People

Who you call first depends on the situation:

Call 911 if:

• Someone is injured or trapped
• The tree brought down power lines
• The tree is blocking a public road
• There is an immediate risk of the tree falling on an occupied structure

Call Duke Energy if:

• Power lines are down or a tree is resting on lines (report at 1-800-769-3766 or through the Duke Energy app)
• You have lost power because of tree damage to lines serving your home

Duke Energy is responsible for clearing trees from their power lines in the Charlotte area. They will not charge you for this. However, after major storms, their crews are stretched thin and response times can run several days. Trees on your property that are not affecting power lines are your responsibility, not Duke's.

Call a tree service company if:

• The tree is on your house, car, fence, or shed but no one is in danger and no power lines are involved
• The tree is blocking your driveway and you need it cleared
• A partially failed tree is at risk of falling further

Many tree service companies in the Charlotte area offer 24/7 emergency response. They can typically have a crew on-site within a few hours for true emergencies, though after major storms the wait can be longer because everyone in town needs help at the same time.

Step 3: Document Everything Before Cleanup

Before anyone touches the tree, document the damage. This is critical for your insurance claim. Take photos and video of:

• The tree and where it fell
• Damage to your home, roof, siding, windows, gutters, fence, shed, or car
• The root system (if the tree uprooted, the root ball tells a story about why it failed)
• The surrounding area for context
• Close-up shots of the point of failure (where the trunk broke or where the roots pulled out)

Take these photos from multiple angles and before any cleanup starts. Insurance adjusters want to see the damage as it happened, not after a crew has already cleared half the debris. Use your phone's timestamp feature so the photos are automatically dated.

Step 4: Contact Your Insurance Company

Call your homeowner's insurance company as soon as possible after documenting the damage. Most Charlotte homeowners have policies with companies like State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide, or one of the regional carriers. Here is what you need to know about how insurance handles fallen trees in North Carolina:

What Insurance Typically Covers

• Tree removal when it hits a covered structure. If the tree fell on your house, garage, fence, or shed, the cost of removing the tree from the structure is usually covered (minus your deductible). Most policies cover tree removal up to $500 to $1,000 per tree, though some policies are more generous.
• Structural repair. Damage to your roof, siding, or other structures is covered under the dwelling portion of your policy.
• Additional living expenses. If the damage makes your home unlivable, your policy typically covers temporary housing costs.

What Insurance Usually Does NOT Cover

• A tree that falls in your yard but does not hit a structure
• Removing a dead or dying tree before it falls (preventive removal)
• Cleanup of branches and debris in the yard (not on a structure)
• Damage caused by a tree you knew was dead and failed to remove (your insurer may argue negligence)

One thing that catches Charlotte homeowners off guard: if your neighbor's tree falls on your property, your insurance pays for the damage and removal, not your neighbor's insurance. This is how it works in North Carolina. Your neighbor is only liable if they knew the tree was dead or hazardous and did nothing about it, and you can prove that.

Step 5: Hire the Right Emergency Tree Service

Here is where you need to be careful. After storms, Charlotte gets flooded with out-of-town "storm chasers" — unlicensed, uninsured crews with chainsaws and pickup trucks who go door to door offering cheap removal. Some of them do acceptable work. Many of them do not, and if someone gets hurt on your property, you are the one holding the liability.

When hiring an emergency tree removal company in Charlotte, check for:

• Proof of insurance. General liability and workers' compensation. Ask for the certificate. A real company will have it ready.
• A local address. Companies based in Charlotte or the surrounding area (Mooresville, Concord, Matthews, Fort Mill) are accountable to the community. Storm chasers are here today and gone tomorrow.
• A written estimate. Even in an emergency, you should get a written scope of work and price before the crew starts cutting. "We will figure it out and send you a bill" is not acceptable.
• No full payment upfront. A deposit is normal. Full payment before the work starts is a red flag.

For more on spotting bad actors, read our guide to tree service scams in Charlotte.

What Emergency Tree Removal Costs in Charlotte

Emergency tree removal costs more than standard removal because of the urgency, the after-hours response, and the hazards involved. Here is what to expect in the Charlotte area:

• Small tree on a fence or shed: $500 to $1,200
• Medium tree on a house (partial damage): $1,500 to $3,500
• Large tree through a roof: $3,000 to $6,000+
• Tree blocking a driveway (no structural damage): $400 to $1,500
• After-hours premium: Most companies charge 25 to 50 percent more for nights, weekends, and holiday calls

If the tree hit your house and insurance is covering it, the tree company can often work directly with your insurance adjuster. Some companies will begin the removal and bill insurance directly, though you are ultimately responsible for the bill if insurance denies the claim. For a full breakdown of typical tree service costs, see our Charlotte tree removal cost guide.

Charlotte's Storm Season and What to Expect

Understanding Charlotte's storm patterns helps you prepare and react:

• Spring (March to May): Severe thunderstorms with straight-line winds and occasional hail. This is when many weakened or dead trees fail. The combination of strong winds and saturated soil from spring rains loosens root systems.
• Summer (June to August): Afternoon pop-up thunderstorms are nearly a daily occurrence. Most are brief but can produce 60+ mph wind gusts. Microbursts, where a concentrated column of air slams into the ground and spreads outward, can snap trees at mid-trunk.
• Fall (September to November): Hurricane remnants are the big risk. Charlotte is far enough inland that direct hurricane hits are rare, but the remnant rain and wind from coastal hurricanes can dump 6 to 10 inches of rain in 24 hours, saturating the ground and toppling trees. Hurricane Hugo hit Charlotte as a Category 1 in 1989, and the tree damage was catastrophic. In recent years, remnants from Hurricanes Florence, Dorian, and Ian have all brought heavy rain and some wind damage to the metro area.
• Winter (December to February): Ice storms are the winter risk. Charlotte gets one or two significant ice events most years. Even a quarter inch of ice coating can add hundreds of pounds to a tree's canopy, and branches start snapping. Pine trees and Bradford pears are especially prone to ice damage.

The best defense against emergency tree situations is prevention. Regular tree trimming, removing dead trees before they fall, and having a relationship with a local tree service company all reduce your risk. For seasonal preparation tips, see our guide on preparing your trees for hurricane season.

What About Trees That Fall on a Neighbor's Property?

If your tree falls onto your neighbor's property, here is how it works in North Carolina:

Your neighbor's homeowner's insurance covers the damage and removal, not yours. Unless your neighbor can prove that you knew the tree was dead or hazardous and neglected to deal with it, you are generally not liable. However, if your neighbor previously notified you in writing that a tree appeared dead or dangerous, and you did nothing, that changes the equation and you could be held responsible.

The takeaway: if a neighbor tells you they are worried about one of your trees, take it seriously. Get a professional evaluation. It is cheaper than a lawsuit and the right thing to do.

After the Emergency: What Comes Next

Once the immediate danger is dealt with and the tree is removed, you still have a few things to handle:

• Stump grinding. The tree company may or may not include stump grinding in the emergency removal. If not, you can schedule it separately, usually for $100 to $400. There is no rush on this. See our guide on stump grinding vs stump removal for your options.
• Roof or structural repair. If the tree damaged your home, you will need a roofer, siding contractor, or general contractor for repairs. Your insurance company will guide this process and may have preferred vendors.
• Assess remaining trees. A storm that takes down one tree often damages others. Have a tree service or arborist walk your property to check for cracked branches, leaning trunks, and heaved root systems that might not be obvious at first glance.
• Consider prevention. Look at what happened and ask whether it could have been prevented. Was the tree dead? Was it a species known for failure? Were there warning signs you missed? Use the experience to take better care of the trees that remain.