Storm Season In Sheffield: What To Do When A Tree Falls And Who To Call

When winter storms roll through Sheffield, Dronfield, Chesterfield and Rotherham, trees can give way without warning. It is noisy, messy, and stressful. The good news is you can take clear steps to keep everyone safe and get help quickly.

This guide walks you through what to do in the first minutes, who to call, how emergency tree work is handled, what it might cost, and where responsibilities and insurance usually sit.

First steps: keep people safe and assess from a distance

• Keep clear of the tree, power lines and any hanging or trapped branches.

• Do not step on or move the tree. Avoid climbing on a roof, wall or vehicle affected by the fall.

• If you suspect a live cable is involved, stay back at least the length of the tree and call 105 to reach your electricity network operator. Treat all wires as live.

• If the tree is blocking a public highway or has trapped someone, call 999.

• If the situation is stable, take a few photos from a safe distance. These help with quotes and insurance later.

If the tree is leaning, split, or creaking, assume it could move again. High winds and snow loads can hide tension in branches that release suddenly. Waiting for a qualified team is the safest choice.

Who to call and when

• Call 999 first if life is at risk, a building is collapsing, or a main road is fully blocked.

• Call your electricity network on 105 if power lines are down or contact seems possible.

• For every other scenario on private property, call a local, qualified tree surgeon for emergency attendance.

If you are in Sheffield, Dronfield, Chesterfield or Rotherham, OY Tree Services runs a 24 hour emergency callout. We make the scene safe, handle complex rigging in tight spaces, and clear debris so you can get back to normal.

Phone for urgent help or a quick quote: 0788 074 9696
Email: oytrees@gmail.com
Web contact form: oytreeservices.co.uk

What counts as an emergency repair?

In tree work terms, an emergency repair means action to remove immediate danger and prevent further damage.

Examples include:

• A tree through a roof

• A large limb resting on a conservatory

• A tree blocked across a driveway that you need for access

This can be different from full removal. Often our first visit focuses on making safe. We might dismantle and rig down the dangerous sections, then schedule the rest once the storm passes and light improves.

How our 24/7 emergency callout works

• You call, we ask a few quick questions about location, access, and hazards. Photos help.

• We arrive with qualified climbers, rigging gear, and lighting for night work.

• We make safe first. That might mean sectional dismantling, bracing, or lifting limbs away from structures.

• We liaise with neighbours if branches cross boundaries, and with utilities if needed.

• We clear arisings and leave the site tidy as agreed. Many customers say the garden looks cleaner than before.

Our team is fully insured and trained for complex urban work including tight courtyards and steep gardens. Where practical we use quieter, low impact tools. We always prioritise careful rigging to protect your home.

Typical costs: make safe vs full removal

Every storm job is different. Cost depends on size, access, complexity, traffic management, and whether a crane or MEWP is required.

• Make safe only (the emergency phase) is usually faster and cheaper than complete removal. We remove hazardous sections and secure the rest.

• Full removal includes dismantling the entire tree and processing timber and brash. This takes longer and may require additional kit.

The best way to get accurate figures is a free quote.

Call 0788 074 9696, email oytrees@gmail.com, or send photos via our website.
If stumps remain after a removal, we can help with stump grinding to leave the area ready for replanting or repair.

Insurance basics and who pays

Every policy is different, so check your documents and call your insurer promptly. As a guide:

• If a tree falls on your house, your buildings insurance usually covers emergency make safe and repairs. We can supply reports, photos and invoices for claims.

• If your neighbour’s tree falls onto your property due to a storm, damage is typically claimed on your own insurance unless negligence is proven. If there was a known hazard that was ignored, liability can shift, but that is for insurers and, if needed, solicitors to decide.

• If a tree blocks a public road or footpath, the council or highways authority usually coordinates clearance. Call 999 for immediate danger, or the council for non urgent obstructions.

• If a tree belongs to you and falls within your boundary, removal is usually your responsibility. Your insurer may cover costs if damage occurred.

• Utilities handle their own lines and wayleaves. If a tree is in their corridor, they may take the lead. Always report live cable risks on 105.

Do you get free relief from a fallen tree? In some cases, insurers cover the cost of making safe and repairs, so your out of pocket cost can be limited to your excess. Free clearance by public bodies is generally limited to public land and highways. On private property, work is normally a private arrangement with your chosen contractor.

Who to call first if a tree hits your home

• Make sure everyone is out of the affected rooms.

• Call 999 if there is structural collapse, live cables, or trapped occupants.

• Call your insurer’s emergency line.

• Call OY Tree Services on 0788 074 9696 for 24/7 attendance. We coordinate with your insurer and secure the site.

We regularly work with loss adjusters and can provide written quotes and photos to smooth the claims process.

Council, utilities, and private owners: who is responsible?

• Council trees on verges or parks: report to the local council. If the tree is actively dangerous on a road, call 999.

• Private trees within your boundary: you arrange the removal. If the tree is protected by a TPO or you are in a conservation area, speak to us first. We assist with applications. In emergencies, work to make safe is usually permitted, with notification to follow.

• Shared boundaries: responsibilities are shared or defined by deeds. We always seek neighbour agreement before work that crosses fences or affects shared hedges.

• Utilities corridors: report to the operator. They will advise on safety zones and may isolate power before work proceeds.

Local, fast and tidy across Sheffield and nearby towns

We are your local tree surgeon sheffield for urgent callouts and planned work. From careful crown work to full dismantles, we rig safely around roofs, conservatories and garden buildings. After storm damage, we clear and tidy so you can use your space again.

If the fall has left a stump in the way, our team can handle tree stump removal sheffield as part of the same job or a follow up visit.

If you are clearing debris after a storm, and need bigger help across beds and borders, we also offer sheffield garden clearance to get your plot back in shape for winter.

Quick checklist to print or save

• Stay clear, keep others back, and treat all wires as live.

• 999 for life threatening danger or blocked main roads.

• 105 for power line hazards.

• Call OY Tree Services on 0788 074 9696 any time. Weekend responses included.

• Contact your insurer and take photos.

• Do not attempt DIY cutting. Hidden tension can be severe.

Summary and next steps

Storms are unsettling, but a calm plan makes all the difference. Prioritise safety, call emergency services if needed, then bring in a qualified local team to make the scene safe and clear the damage.

OY Tree Services provides 24 hour emergency callouts across Sheffield, Dronfield, Chesterfield and Rotherham, with fully qualified climbers, proper insurance, and tidy clear ups.

For fast help or a free quote, call 0788 074 9696, email oytrees@gmail.com, or visit oytreeservices.co.uk.
We will get you sorted quickly and safely, and leave your garden looking cared for again.