What to Do When a Tree Comes Down
A tree is down, or it looks ready to fall. Start with these steps.
1. Get clear. Move people and pets away from the tree, the branches and any hanging limbs. If a power line touches the tree or the ground nearby, stay back. Treat every line as live. Contact the utility and emergency services.
2. Look from a distance. Note what the tree hit: roof, fence, car, siding, driveway. Take photos and short video. Providers can often help document damage for a claim. Some policies may cover sudden damage, so check your policy.
3. Get a provider moving. Commandis Tree Service is a referral service. We do not cut, lift or haul trees. We connect homeowners in Waynesville, OH with independent providers in our network who handle tree removal, emergency clearing and stump grinding.
Request a callback to check provider availability. Many providers can respond quickly when a tree blocks a driveway or rests on a house. Call hours vary by provider.
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Not an emergency? A dying tree, a planned removal or a leftover stump can wait for a written quote. Request an estimate and describe the job. There is no obligation to hire.
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How It Works
A referral service, not a crew
Commandis Tree Service does not own trucks, saws or chippers. We are the link between you and independent providers in the Waynesville area. That keeps our role simple and honest. The provider you speak with does the work, sets the price and stands behind the job.
The process in four moves
- You call or send a request. Tell us what happened or what you need.
- We pass it to a provider. Availability varies, so the match depends on your location and the job.
- The provider reviews the job. Many ask for photos or a quick visit first.
- You get a written quote. Read it before you agree. Ask what is included, such as haul-away and cleanup.
There is no obligation to hire after you request an estimate.
Why older homes need extra thought
Many houses here are frame homes, bungalows and ranches that have stood for decades. Older roofs, brittle flashing, patched additions and shallow past repairs can hide weak spots. A tree that looks like it only scraped the roof may have loosened shingles, cracked a rafter or pulled on a gutter line.
Tell the provider your home's age and any past work you know about. It helps them plan where to place equipment, how to lower limbs and what to watch for under the surface.
What you may pay
Costs vary by tree size, access, hazards and cleanup. As a typical U.S. range, removal often runs from a few hundred dollars for a small tree to several thousand for a large or hard-to-reach one. Stump grinding commonly falls around $100 to $400 per stump. Emergency work can cost more. Always get a written quote.
Where Providers Work Locally
Providers in our network serve Waynesville and communities across the Waynesville area. Coverage depends on the provider, so the match starts with where your property is.
The region has real weather. Winters bring deep frost that can stress roots and split limbs. Summers are hot and humid, and severe thunderstorms and hail can snap branches and topple whole trees. Spring flooding softens soil, and saturated ground lets shallow-rooted trees lean or fall.
Homes here often have full basements with sump pumps. A heavy tree on a yard or a torn-up root zone can affect drainage, so mention the sump pump and any grading concerns when you describe the job.
After a big storm, many homeowners need help at the same time. Providers set their own schedules, and availability changes through the day. Request a callback to check provider availability, and keep your photos ready.
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If the tree is down but nothing is damaged, or you are planning ahead, send your details and ask for a quote instead.
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Calm Answers for the First Hour
Is it safe to stay inside?
If the tree is leaning on the house, or you hear cracking, move to a room away from it. If you smell gas or see sparks, leave and call emergency services.
What about power lines?
Never touch a tree that contacts a line. Never drive over a downed line. Keep everyone back and report it to the utility.
What should I photograph?
Shoot wide shots from a safe spot, then close-ups of the damage. Include the tree base, the roof or fence, and any cars. Note the time and date.
Can I cut it myself?
Small limbs on the ground, maybe. A tree under tension, on a roof, or near lines is a job for a trained provider. Cutting the wrong piece can shift the whole trunk.
What is emergency tree removal?
It is urgent clearing of a tree that is blocking a driveway, hitting a structure or creating danger. Many providers offer storm tree clearance and a tree falling service for these jobs. Availability varies.
What does a temporary cover mean?
If the roof is open, a provider may place a tarp or advise a roofer. Ask about it when you call. Keep receipts.
Should I worry about the stump?
Not on day one. After removal, stump grinding shreds the stump below ground level so you can plant or build again. Many people schedule it with the removal to save a second visit.
What about insurance?
Some policies may cover sudden damage from a fallen tree. Rules differ, so check your policy and ask your insurer what they need. Providers can often help document damage for a claim.
How do I prepare for the visit?
Clear vehicles and yard items from the work area. Mark sprinkler heads, septic lids and buried lines if you know where they are. Share the home's age and past repairs.
Ready to Start
Tell us what you see: tree size, where it sits and what it touches. Photos help. A provider in our network can then review the job and give a written quote.
Request a callback to check provider availability. Call hours vary by provider.
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Prefer to write it out? Send a request with your address and details. There is no obligation.
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