After a storm, you may find that a tree in your yard has been knocked down—or worse, it has fallen onto a neighbor’s property. While this can be a stressful situation to deal with, the first step is to understand who is responsible for the fallen tree and what action needs to be taken next.
Factors That Determine Responsibility
The first factor that determines responsibility for fallen trees is whether it happened in public or private space. If the falling tree was located on public property such as city parks, sidewalks, or streets, then the responsibility falls on the local government or municipality. In these cases, it’s best to contact your local town hall or city council office to report the incident.
In most cases of fallen trees on private properties—whether they are residential or commercial—the responsibility lies with the owner of the property where the tree was originally standing. This means that if you are dealing with a fallen tree on your own property, you will need to take action right away to have it removed and properly disposed of before any further damage occurs. You should also contact your insurance provider right away; depending on your policy and coverage limits, they may help pay for some of the costs associated with removing and disposing of the fallen tree.
Responsibility in Public Spaces
In public spaces such as sidewalks and parks, local governments are typically responsible for maintaining trees and other vegetation so that they don’t become hazardous. That being said, if there were any warning signs prior to storm season about potential risks posed by certain trees in public areas—such as dead branches or overgrown roots—then these warnings must be addressed prior to any major storms happening in order for governments to remain absolved from liability due to falling trees and their resulting damages.
Responsibility on Private Properties
When it comes to private properties such as residential homes or businesses, homeowners and business owners alike must take proactive steps throughout each season in order to ensure their trees remain safe from any potential hazards caused by windstorms or other weather-related events. This includes performing regular inspections of all existing trees (especially those close proximity to buildings) as well as proper pruning techniques so that branches don’t become overgrown and potentially fall off during storms. If there are any signs of danger—such as deadwood present on branches or large cracks appearing near trunks—it’s important to hire licensed arborists right away like Tree Removal so they can safely remove them before any further damage occurs.
Insurance Considerations
One of the biggest questions we get when a tree falls is: who is responsible? Depending on the situation, there can be several people or organizations liable for this occurrence. Homeowners should check their insurance coverage and see if they are protected in the case of sudden damage from a fallen tree. Tree maintenance contractors may also have liability insurance to protect them if a tree they recently serviced falls unexpectedly. If a specialist was not hired, homeowners may still be legally obligated to make sure their property’s trees are safe and secure.
Conclusion:
Taking care of all existing trees on both private and public properties is essential when it comes to mitigating damages caused by windstorms and other weather-related events. For those dealing with fallen trees after storms have passed through their area, understanding who is responsible for taking action can help expedite cleanup efforts so no further damage occurs due to neglected tree maintenance work prior to storm season hitting your area. We offers comprehensive inspections and removal services year-round; contact us today if you need assistance with a fallen tree in your area.