Chicago, IL · emergencies
Emergency tree removal in Chicago
If a tree in Chicago is on a power line, stay away and call ComEd and 911. A fallen parkway tree is the city's: report it to 311. A tree from your own yard on your house, garage or car is yours to have removed, and most Chicago emergencies come from summer derechos and downbursts or winter ice on silver maples and dead ash.
Chicago at a glance
- Lines down
- ComEd and 911; stay well away
- Parkway tree down
- City's responsibility: call 311
- Common failures
- Silver maples, dead ash, Callery pears
- Storm types
- Summer derechos and downbursts; winter ice and heavy snow
Reviewed and updated
First steps
- 1
Stay clear of lines
Alleys carry overhead lines in much of Chicago. Assume any downed line is live and keep everyone back.
- 2
Call 911 and ComEd when needed
911 for injuries, fire or sparks; ComEd for any tree on a line.
- 3
Report parkway trees to 311
The Bureau of Forestry handles city trees, including emergencies.
- 4
Photograph, then call a tree service
For your own trees, document the damage and call a crew and your insurer.
Derechos and summer downbursts
The August 2020 derecho brought gusts strong enough to uproot and split trees across Chicago and the suburbs. Summer storms crossing the prairie regularly snap silver maple limbs, push over trees on saturated ground and finish off dead ash. After a widespread storm, the city, ComEd and private crews are all working queues; trees on houses, blocking the only exit, or on lines go first.
Ice, heavy snow and limbs over garages
Freezing rain and wet snow add enormous weight to limbs over alleys, garages and service drops. Callery pears split at narrow forks, and silver maples drop large limbs. Don't knock snow or ice off high limbs from below; hanging limbs can drop without warning.
Alley access in an emergency
Most Chicago emergency removals are worked from the alley, sometimes with a crane when a tree is lying across a garage roof. Overhead lines along the alley complicate this, so ComEd may need to make lines safe first. If a tree is blocking the alley, tell 311 as well.
Chicago storm safety: yes and no
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.
Clearing a tree from a garage or alley
- 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 storm in Chicago
For dead ash before they become the next emergency.
For cleanup once urgent trees are handled.
After removal.
Chicago emergency tree questions
Who do I call in Chicago if a tree falls on a power line?
ComEd, and 911 if there are sparks, fire or injuries. Stay far away from the line and anything touching it.
Who removes a parkway tree that fell in Chicago?
The city. Report it to 311; the Bureau of Forestry handles city trees, including emergencies.
A tree from my yard fell on my garage. What do I do?
Keep people out of the garage, check for lines, photograph the damage, then call a tree service and your insurer. It's your responsibility to have it removed.
Can a tree be removed from my roof tonight in Chicago?
Often, for a tree on an occupied house. After widespread storms, crews triage and wait times grow.
What trees fall most in Chicago storms?
Silver maples, dead ash and Callery pears are frequent failures, along with trees with root damage.
Can I pull a hanging limb off my garage roof after an ice storm?
No. Ice-loaded limbs can snap and fall on you. Keep people clear and let it melt, or call a crew if a limb is hanging.
Is a cracked limb hanging over my Chicago garage an emergency?
Treat it as one if it's over the garage, alley or service drop: cracked limbs can drop without warning, especially with wind or snow. Keep people clear and call a crew.
Should I remove the rest of a tree that dropped a big limb on my garage?
Often worth it if the tree is a silver maple, dead ash or split pear: the failure usually shows weak wood elsewhere. A sound tree that lost one limb can be pruned back instead.
Does insurance cover a tree on my garage in Chicago?
Usually when it damages a covered structure, up to a limit. A tree that fell in the yard without hitting anything usually isn't covered. See who pays when a tree falls.
How much does emergency tree removal cost in Chicago?
It depends on size, what it's resting on, alley access, lines and whether a crane is needed. See the emergency tree removal cost guide.
Who does emergency tree removal near me in Chicago?
Insured local tree companies with storm equipment. You can call us to reach an independent provider in Chicago.
Sources for the local facts on this page
- Chicago 311: Tree removal (checked 2026-10-03)
- City of Chicago: Bureau of Forestry (checked 2026-10-03)
Emergency tree removal in Chicago
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.