Never cut a tree that is touching or tangled in wires, including the service line to your house. Wood and wet ground can conduct electricity. The utility has to make it safe first.
Why Long Island trees come down in storms
Long Island sits on sandy glacial outwash that drains fast but holds roots weakly. When nor'easters or tropical storms soak the ground and push sustained wind across it, trees tend to uproot whole, root plate and all, rather than just losing limbs. Tropical Storm Isaias in August 2020 knocked out power to more than 400,000 PSEG Long Island customers, mostly because of falling trees. South Shore neighborhoods, with a high water table and salt exposure, and North Shore hills with big old oaks, see the most damage.
Who handles what after a storm
| Situation | Who to call | Who usually pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tree on street power lines | PSEG Long Island | Utility clears the lines. Debris left on your property is usually yours to remove. |
| Tree on your service drop (pole-to-house wire) | PSEG first, then a tree contractor | Homeowner, for the tree. Damage to your meter or mast may need a licensed electrician. |
| Tree on house, garage or fence | Insurer + tree contractor | Homeowners insurance (after deductible, removal often capped at $500–$1,000 per tree) |
| Tree down in the yard, hit nothing | Tree contractor | Homeowner (usually not covered) |
| Town street tree down | Your town's highway department | Town |
More detail: A tree fell in a storm on Long Island. Who pays?
What an emergency crew does
- Stabilize: rig the tree so it can't shift further, and tarp any opening in the roof.
- Lift it off: usually a crane for trees on a house, so sections are lifted off rather than dropped on the roof.
- Clear access: driveway, doors, cars.
- Document: photos and an itemized invoice for your claim.
- Finish later: stump grinding and full cleanup can wait for a regular-rate visit.
After-storm scams to avoid
- Out-of-area trucks knocking on doors and asking for big cash deposits.
- No Nassau or Suffolk Home Improvement license number, or no insurance certificate.
- "Sign this and we'll deal with your insurance," an assignment of benefits you don't understand. Read before signing.
- Pressure to cut a tree still on wires before PSEG arrives.
Need help now? Call (631) 856-1655 (Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm) or send the form with a photo, and a licensed local crew will call you back.
Where we cover
Emergency & Storm Tree Removal quotes are available across Nassau and Suffolk. Permit rules and common trees differ by town. Start with yours:
Frequently asked questions
A tree is on a power line. What do I do?
Stay at least 30 feet away and keep others away. Call PSEG Long Island's 24/7 downed-wire line at 1-800-490-0075, or 911 if there's fire or immediate danger. No tree contractor should touch it until the utility has made it safe.
Does homeowners insurance cover emergency tree removal?
Usually when the tree damaged a covered structure (house, garage, fence, shed), subject to your deductible. Tree-removal coverage is often capped around $500–$1,000 per tree, and some policies cap a single storm at $2,500–$5,000 total. A tree that fell in the yard without hitting anything is typically not covered.
Who pays if my neighbor's tree falls on my house?
Generally your own homeowners policy covers damage to your house, regardless of whose tree it was. If the neighbor knew the tree was dead or dangerous and ignored it, your insurer may pursue them (negligence). Document everything.
How much does emergency tree removal cost?
Most storm removals on Long Island run $500–$3,000 per tree. Cranes add $500–$1,500 or more, and after-hours or holiday calls often carry a premium. Prices spike right after big storms, when crews are in demand.
Should I tarp the roof myself?
Only if it's safe and the tree is off the roof. Never climb onto a roof with a tree still on it. Your policy expects you to prevent further damage, so a contractor's emergency tarp is usually a covered cost.
Related services
- Tree Removal: Dead, leaning, storm-damaged or just-in-the-way trees taken down safely, including crane work over houses and pools.
- Stump Grinding: Stumps ground 6–8 inches below grade so you can reseed, plant or pave. Usually $150–$500 a stump.
- Stump & Root Removal: Full extraction of the stump and main roots when you need to replant, build a patio or pour footings in the same spot.
- Tree Trimming & Pruning: Limbs over the roof, deadwood, storm-prep thinning and clearance, done to keep the tree healthy rather than topping it.
- Land & Lot Clearing: Wooded building lots, pool and driveway areas, and overgrown property cleared, with stumps ground or pulled and the permit rules sorted first.
