When a tree falls on your property, the shock and stress can be overwhelming. Whether it is a summer microburst, an ice storm, or simply an aging tree that gives way, knowing what to do in those first critical hours can protect your family and minimize damage. Here is a step-by-step guide for West Island homeowners.
Step 1: Ensure Everyone Is Safe
Your first priority is personal safety. If the tree has hit your house, evacuate immediately if there is any structural concern — cracked walls, sagging ceilings, or the smell of gas. Do not attempt to enter rooms directly beneath or beside the fallen tree. If power lines are involved, stay at least 10 metres away and call Hydro-Québec at 1-800-790-2424. Residents in Pointe-Claire, Dorval, and Kirkland should also call 911 if there is any risk of injury or fire.
Step 2: Document the Damage
Once everyone is safe, take photos and video from multiple angles before anything is moved. This documentation is essential for your insurance claim. Capture the tree, the point of impact, any damage to your roof, siding, fence, or vehicles, and the surrounding area. Note the date and time.
Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Company
Most homeowner insurance policies in Quebec cover damage caused by fallen trees, including the cost of removal. Call your insurer as soon as possible to open a claim. They may send an adjuster or ask for your photos. Keep all receipts for emergency tarping, temporary repairs, and tree removal — these are typically reimbursable.
Step 4: Call a Professional Tree Service
Do not attempt to remove a fallen tree yourself, especially if it involves your roof or power lines. A professional crew has the equipment, training, and insurance to handle the job safely. In Beaconsfield, Hudson, and Saint-Lazare, fallen trees often block driveways or lean against structures in ways that require careful rigging and sectional removal.
Step 5: Prevent Future Incidents
After the immediate crisis is resolved, have an arborist inspect the remaining trees on your property. Storm-weakened trees, dead limbs, and root damage from the same event can cause additional failures. A proactive inspection is especially important in older neighbourhoods across the West Island where mature trees are abundant.
Service d'Arbres Brandse Is Here When You Need Us
We understand that tree emergencies do not wait for business hours. Service d'Arbres Brandse provides prompt emergency tree removal services across the entire West Island of Montreal. If a tree has fallen on your property, call us at (438) 365-5410 and we will be there as quickly as possible to secure the situation and begin removal.