Miami, FL · emergencies
Emergency tree removal in Miami
If a tree in Miami falls on a power line, stay back and call FPL and 911. A tree from your yard on your house is yours to have removed right away; deal with permits afterward with photos and, ideally, an arborist's documentation. Trees from the swale or right-of-way belong to the city or county, so report them before paying anyone.
Miami at a glance
- Lines down
- FPL and 911; stay well away
- Public trees
- Swale and right-of-way trees: city of Miami or Miami-Dade
- Permits
- Emergencies first; document everything for Chapter 24 and Fla. Stat. 163.045
- Peak risk
- Hurricane season, especially August–October
Reviewed and updated
The first hour after a tree comes down
- 1
Get people clear
Leave rooms under the tree; leave the house if you smell gas, see sparks or the ceiling is sagging.
- 2
Call 911 and FPL as needed
Injuries, fire or gas go to 911. Any tree touching a line goes to FPL first; no tree crew can start until it's safe.
- 3
Photograph before anything moves
Where the tree came from, where it struck, the root plate or break. You'll need this for insurance and permits.
- 4
Call a tree service and your insurer
Describe what it's resting on, whether there's a pool cage or wall involved, and access for equipment.
Permits when you can't wait
Miami-Dade's Chapter 24 rules and the City of Miami's tree rules normally require permits for removing many trees, and specimen trees (18 inches and larger) get the strictest review. A tree that has fallen on a house or is about to is an emergency, and safety comes first. Afterward, the documentation matters: photos, the company's invoice describing the emergency, and if possible an arborist's written assessment.
On a single-family home, Florida Statute 163.045 lets you remove a tree without a local permit if an ISA-certified arborist or Florida licensed landscape architect documents that it poses an unacceptable risk. For a leaning tree that hasn't fallen yet, get that documentation first if you can. See tree removal in Miami-Dade County.
Miami trees that cause emergencies
Overgrown ficus and black olives with heavy crowns on shallow roots over limestone topple in hurricane winds. Coconut palms drop heavy nuts and fronds onto cars, pool decks and people, and snap in strong wind. Mahogany limbs fail over roofs. Small lots with pools, walls and screen enclosures mean most emergency removals have to be lifted out in sections.
Swale trees and right-of-way trees
The swale between the sidewalk and street is public right-of-way. If a swale tree falls on your property, report it to the City of Miami (or Miami-Dade if you're unincorporated) and photograph where it grew. Don't pay a private company to remove a public tree without checking first.
Hiring after a hurricane
After a major hurricane, out-of-area crews flood Miami. Get a written quote, ask for a certificate of insurance sent from the insurer, and confirm a local address. Avoid anyone who wants full payment up front or asks you to sign over your insurance benefits at the door. The hiring guide has a checklist.
Safe moves while you wait for the crew
Do this now
- Get people and pets out of rooms under or near the tree.
- Shut off gas at the meter if you smell gas, and leave the house.
- Photograph the scene from a safe distance before anything is moved.
- Call your insurer early. Many policies want to know before major work.
Never do this
- Never go near or touch a tree that's touching a wire. Treat every line as live.
- Don't try to cut a tree off a roof yourself. The weight can shift without warning.
- Don't stand under hanging or cracked limbs to look at the damage.
- Don't let anyone pressure you into signing a contract or assigning insurance benefits at the door.
Lifting a tree off a Miami house
- 1
Make it safe
Utilities de-energize lines. The crew sets a work zone and checks the structure for stability before climbing or rigging.
- 2
Stabilize the tree
Ropes, a crane, or a loader take the weight so that cutting doesn't cause it to shift or roll.
- 3
Remove in sections
Limbs and trunk pieces come off top-down and are lowered or lifted clear of the damaged area.
- 4
Secure and document
The roof is tarped or openings covered (often by a separate contractor), and you get photos and an itemized invoice for your insurer.
After the emergency in Miami
For the rest of the cleanup once the house is clear.
Palm and canopy trimming before next season.
After removal, on Miami's limestone.
Miami emergency tree questions
Who do I call in Miami if a tree falls on a power line?
FPL, and 911 if there are sparks, fire or injuries. Stay far away from the line and anything it touches.
Can I remove a tree that fell on my house without a permit in Miami?
In a genuine emergency, safety comes first. Document everything with photos and the company's invoice, and ideally an arborist's assessment, in case the city or county asks later.
Who removes a fallen swale tree in Miami?
The swale is public right-of-way, so the City of Miami or Miami-Dade County. Report it and photograph where it grew before paying anyone.
Can someone remove a fallen tree today in Miami?
Often, for trees on houses or blocking the only exit. After a major hurricane, wait times grow and crews triage by risk.
Will insurance pay to remove a tree from my Miami house?
Typically when the tree damaged a covered structure, up to a policy limit, often with a separate hurricane deductible. A tree that fell in the yard without hitting anything usually isn't covered.
Is a leaning ficus after a storm an emergency?
If it's newly leaning with soil lifted on the far side, yes. Ficus roots on limestone are shallow; keep people away and get it assessed fast.
Should I get a tarp before the tree is removed?
Usually after. The tree comes off first, then a roofer or restoration company tarps the opening. Ask the tree company whether they do both.
How much does emergency tree removal cost in Miami?
It depends on the tree's size, what it's resting on, access around pools and walls, and whether a crane is needed. See the emergency tree removal cost guide.
Who removes trees in an emergency near me in Miami?
Insured local tree companies with storm equipment. You can call us to reach an independent provider in Miami.
Sources for the local facts on this page
- Miami-Dade County: Tree removal permit information (checked 2026-10-03)
- Florida Statutes §163.045 (checked 2026-10-03)
Emergency tree removal in Miami
Call to speak with a local tree-service provider about removal, trimming, stumps or storm damage. Describe the tree and what it's near, and they'll explain the next step.