What to do in the first hour
- Make sure everyone is safe. Get out of rooms under the damaged roof. If the tree is on a car, stay out of the car.
- Photograph everything before anything is moved: the tree, where it came from, the damage, and the weather if it is still going. Your insurer will want this.
- Tarp or close what you can without climbing. Many insurers reimburse reasonable emergency measures to prevent further damage.
- Request an emergency crew. Use the form below and choose Emergency. Include photos; it lets the crew bring the right truck the first time.
- Open the insurance claim. Removal of a tree that hit a structure is usually part of the claim. Keep every receipt.
What emergency tree work costs
Emergency and storm removals cost more than planned removals: crews work overtime, often with a crane, on a tree that is under tension. In New Jersey a routine large-tree removal runs $1,000 to $2,500; a tree lifted off a house by crane is commonly $2,500 to $5,000 or more, depending on size, the roof, and whether the street has to be closed. When the tree hit a covered structure, most of that is an insurance line item.
Cost ranges are published 2026 New Jersey industry figures (tanddtree.com and treecostremovalcalculator.com NJ guides), not quotes from this site. Your price depends on the tree, access and your town.
Bergen County storm facts
- Late summer through October is the storm peak in North Jersey: tropical remnants, nor'easters and the derecho-style thunderstorm lines that come across the Ramapos. Ice storms in January and February take down the big limbs.
- Oak, tulip poplar and old silver maples are the trees most often found on roofs in Bergen County after a storm, along with dead ash killed by emerald ash borer.
- Saturated ground tips whole trees. After several inches of rain, a healthy-looking tree with a shallow root plate (spruce, Norway maple, many street trees) can go over in moderate wind.
- After a county-wide storm, crews triage: trees on houses and blocking roads first, then driveways, then yard trees. Being clear about which one you have gets you scheduled correctly.
Hazard trees before the storm
The cheapest emergency removal is the one you do in November on purpose. Dead ash, a leaning tree with heaved soil, a split trunk, or a big limb over the bedroom are all reasons to get a quote now. Most Bergen towns exempt dead and hazardous trees from replacement requirements, but you usually still have to file a short application or have a Licensed Tree Expert confirm the hazard. See permits by town.
How it works
- Tell us about the job. Your town, what you need, and a photo if you have one. Takes about a minute.
- We match you with a local tree pro. An independent Bergen County tree care company that is registered with the NJ Board of Tree Experts and insured, and that actually serves your town.
- Get a free on-site quote. The company contacts you directly, looks at the tree and gives you a written price. No obligation, and you deal with them from there.
Emergency questions
A tree fell on my house. Who do I call first?
If anyone is hurt or there is a gas smell, call 911. If wires are down or touching the tree, stay away and call PSE&G at 1-800-436-7734 (or Rockland Electric in northern Bergen at 1-877-434-4100) before anyone goes near it. Then call your insurance company to open a claim, take photos, and request an emergency tree crew. Do not let anyone cut on a tree that is resting on a structure or wires except a professional crew.
Does insurance cover emergency tree removal?
If the tree hit a covered structure, removal and repairs are usually covered minus your deductible. If it fell in the yard without hitting anything, most policies pay little or nothing (often a $500 per tree / $1,000 per event cap). If your neighbor's healthy tree fell on your house in a storm, it is normally your policy that pays, not theirs.
How fast can a crew come out?
For a tree on a house or blocking a road, crews that do storm work can usually respond the same day, often within hours. After a big regional storm, every crew in North Jersey is booked and it can take days; priority goes to trees on structures and roads. Submit your request with photos and mark it as an emergency so it goes to the front.
Should I cut the tree off my roof myself?
No. A tree resting on a roof is loaded like a spring. Cutting the wrong piece can drop the rest through the roof or onto the person cutting. Crews use a crane or rigging to lift it off in sections and will tarp the roof afterward.