24/7 Emergency Tree Service in Madera, CA
When a tree comes down on your house, your car or your driveway, call Timberline Tree Service Madera on (559) 527-5955, day or night. We answer 24/7 across Madera, Madera Acres, Parkwood and the Madera Ranchos. Emergency work is part of our tree service in Madera, and we're licensed and insured. Once the danger is dealt with, we clear the wood and clean up.
What Counts as a Tree Emergency
Call us straight away, day or night, for any of these:
- A tree on the house: A tree or big limb resting on the roof, a wall or a garage, where more weight could come down or rain could get in.
- A tree on a car: Branches pinning a car in the driveway or the street.
- A blocked driveway or road: A fallen tree you can't get past, or one blocking the way for an ambulance or fire truck.
- Split or hanging limbs: A large branch cracked at the trunk or caught in the crown, which can drop without warning.
- A new lean after a storm: A tree that has tipped over in wet ground, with the soil lifting at the base.
- A tree on a power line: Call 911 first. We can't touch it until PG&E has made the line safe.
What to Do Right Now
Get everyone out of rooms under the tree and keep children and pets well away from it. Don't try to cut or pull a fallen tree or branch yourself. The CDC warns that trees and branches bent or caught under other objects, called spring poles, can spring loose with enough force to cause serious injury or death, and advises that it's best to have a chain saw operator with training and experience fell trees and remove limbs. If it's safe, take photos of the damage before anything is moved, then call us.
If a tree has brought down a power line, PG&E says to assume the line is live, never touch it, and keep everyone, including kids and pets, away from it. Call 911, then PG&E on 1-800-743-5000. If a line falls on your car, PG&E says to stay inside, because the ground around it may be energized.
How We Handle an Emergency Call
Tell us what has come down, where it is and whether anyone is hurt or any wires are involved. When we arrive, we look at how the tree is lying and where the weight and tension are before any cut is made, then make the area safe.
A tree resting on a roof comes off in sections, lowered with ropes so the pieces don't fall back onto the house. For a large tree we can't lift off safely from the ground, we can bring in a crane. Once the danger is gone, we cut up the wood, haul it away and clean up the yard. If a stump is left, we can grind it out later with our stump grinding in Madera, and a damaged tree that's still standing can be taken down properly with our tree removal.
Why Trees Come Down in Madera
Storms aren't the only cause. UC's gardening experts describe summer branch drop, where a large limb breaks off with no wind at all, often on hot, calm afternoons. It's best known in oaks, where the sheer size of the branches makes it especially hazardous, and it also affects eucalyptus, elm and ash.
Winter storms bring the rest. In January 2023, a local emergency was proclaimed in Madera County during storms that brought flooding, mudslides and downed trees. To get warnings for storms and other emergencies, sign up for MCALERT, the county's community notification system, through the Madera County Office of Emergency Services.
Tree Damage and Your Insurance
The California Department of Insurance says damage from fallen trees is generally covered under standard homeowner policies, though there can be exceptions. Tree damage to a car is generally covered under the comprehensive, or "other than collision", part of an auto policy.
The Department's advice is to take pictures and keep records of all clean-up and repair costs, and to make temporary repairs to prevent further damage, but not permanent repairs until the insurance adjuster has seen it. According to the Insurance Information Institute, when a tree hits an insured structure, a homeowners policy covers the cost of removing it, generally up to about $500 to $1,000 depending on the insurer and the policy. If the tree didn't hit an insured structure, there's generally no cover for removing it, though some insurers pay if it blocks a driveway or a disability ramp. Check your own policy, and ask your agent if you're unsure.
What Affects the Cost of Emergency Tree Work
The price depends on the size of the tree, where it has fallen and how much of it has to be lifted rather than cut on the ground. A tree on a roof or tangled in other trees takes longer than one lying across a lawn, and a job that needs a crane costs more. Hauling the wood away is part of the work. We'll tell you the price before we start, and if the tree is on your house, we'll make it safe first.
Questions about a claim? The California Department of Insurance consumer hotline is 800-927-4357. Photograph the damage before it's cleared and keep your receipts for the work.
Emergency Tree Service FAQs
Straight answers to what Madera homeowners ask when a tree comes down. Tap a question to see the answer.
Do you really answer 24/7?
Yes. Call (559) 527-5955 any time, day or night, including weekends and holidays. Tell us what has come down and whether any wires are involved.
A tree fell on my house. What should I do first?
Get everyone out of the rooms under the tree, keep clear of any fallen wires, and call 911 if anyone is hurt or a power line is down. If it's safe, photograph the damage, then call us. Don't try to cut the tree yourself.
Can you remove a tree that's on a power line?
Not until the line is safe. Call 911, then PG&E on 1-800-743-5000, and keep everyone away, since PG&E says to treat any fallen line as live. Once PG&E has dealt with the line, we can remove the tree.
Will my insurance pay for the damage?
The California Department of Insurance says fallen-tree damage is generally covered under standard homeowner policies, with some exceptions. When the tree hits an insured structure, the Insurance Information Institute says a homeowners policy covers removing it, generally up to about $500 to $1,000. Check your own policy with your agent.
My neighbor's tree fell on my property. Who pays?
If a neighbor's tree lands on your home, you can file a claim with your own insurer, and in some situations your insurer may try to collect from the neighbor's insurer, a process called subrogation. This is general information, not legal advice, so ask your agent.
A street tree fell in front of my house. Who deals with it?
The City of Madera makes property owners responsible for maintaining the street trees in front of their property. Removing one means replacing it with a City-approved species, and the City asks owners to contact Parks and Community Services on (559) 661-5495 for approval. If the tree is blocking the road or has brought down wires, call 911.
Why do big branches fall on calm summer days?
It's called summer branch drop. UC's experts say it isn't caused by wind and often happens on hot, calm afternoons. It's best known in oaks and also affects eucalyptus, elm and ash.
Do you clean up after an emergency job?
Yes. We cut up the wood, haul it away and clean up the yard before we leave.
Still have a question?
Call us any time at (559) 527-5955. We'll answer your question and the estimate is free.