Tree on Roof in Spokane: What to Do Right Now
A tree just hit your roof in Spokane. Follow these steps to stay safe, prevent more damage, document for insurance, and get the tree removed safely.
A falling tree can hit your roof with over 100,000 pounds of force.
A mature fir or pine in Spokane can weigh over 20 tons. When it comes down, the impact concentrates on a small area of your roof, often exceeding 100,000 pounds per square inch. That force can crack trusses, push a chimney off its base, or punch a hole straight through the decking.
Your immediate actions in the first hour determine how much damage becomes permanent. Water intrusion is the second disaster. A roof that is structurally broken but still shedding water is a different problem from one that is open to the sky. The steps below follow that priority: protect people, stop water, then handle the tree.
- Get everyone out of the house and stay out until you have looked at the damage.
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt or if gas lines, power lines, or the smell of gas are involved.
- Turn off the gas at the meter if you smell gas or hear a hissing sound.
- Shut off the main water valve if water is spraying inside the house.
- Take photos and videos from a safe distance before you touch anything.
- Call us at (509) 555-0134 for tree removal. We serve Spokane and surrounding areas.
First, get people out and call for help if needed
If the tree hit a living space, a bedroom, or a hallway, evacuate immediately. Do not go back inside to collect belongings. The roof may be unstable, and a second section of the tree could shift or fall.
Call 911 if anyone is injured or trapped. Also call 911 if you see or smell natural gas, if power lines are down or touching the tree, or if the tree is leaning against your house and could move. The fire department and utility crews are trained to handle those hazards. They will secure the scene before any tree work starts.
If the damage is limited to a porch, a garage, or an overhang and no one is hurt, you can proceed with the next steps on your own. Still, keep children and pets away from the area until the tree is removed and the roof is inspected.
Stop water from getting in before you do anything else
Water is what turns a roof repair into a whole-house renovation. Even a small hole can let rain soak into insulation, drywall, and electrical wiring within hours.
If the tree has opened a hole, cover it from the inside if you can do so safely. Use a plastic tarp or a large trash bag and duct tape. If the hole is in the ceiling, place a bucket underneath and poke a small hole in the ceiling to let water drain into the bucket instead of pooling and collapsing the drywall.
If the roof is still intact but the tree is pressing on it, do not go onto the roof. The weight of the tree could break through at any moment. Instead, focus on keeping the interior dry by moving furniture and valuables away from the affected area. If you have a two-story house, clear the rooms below the damage.
If you have a tarp and can reach the roof from a ladder without stepping on the damaged area, you can cover the hole from the outside. Secure the tarp with lumber laid across the roof, not with nails driven into the roof. Nails create more holes and can be pulled out by wind. But if the tree is still on the roof, do not attempt this. Wait for the tree to be removed first.
Document the damage for your insurance claim
Your insurance company needs clear evidence of what happened and when. Take photos and videos from multiple angles before any cleanup begins. Include the tree, the roof, the interior damage, and the surrounding property. If you can, capture the tree's root ball or the broken trunk to show it fell, not that it was cut down.
Do not throw away any part of the tree until your adjuster has seen the site. If the tree is blocking a driveway or a door and must be moved for safety, take photos first and keep a written record of what you moved and where you put it. Your policy may cover the cost of emergency removal, but the adjuster needs to see what was there.
Call your insurance company as soon as you have secured the immediate hazards. Most policies require you to report a claim within a reasonable time. Ask your adjuster what they need from you and whether they will cover the cost of tree removal. Some policies pay for removing a tree that hits a structure, but not for removing a tree that falls in the yard without touching anything.
Keep receipts for any emergency repairs, such as tarps, lumber, or a hotel stay if the house is uninhabitable. Your policy may reimburse you for those expenses.
Call a tree removal service that can handle the weight
Removing a tree from a roof is not like removing one from a yard. The tree is under load, the roof is damaged, and every cut changes the balance. A professional crew will use rigging ropes, cranes, or both to control each section as it is cut.
When you call us, describe the situation as specifically as you can. Tell us the type of tree, its approximate height and diameter, where it is resting on the house, and whether it is touching any power lines. That helps us bring the right equipment and the right number of crew members.
Do not attempt to cut the tree yourself. A chainsaw kickback on a compressed trunk can be fatal. Even if the tree looks stable, the stored energy in the bent wood can release suddenly. The same applies to pulling the tree with a vehicle or a rope. That can pull the tree sideways and collapse more of the roof.
We will assess the situation on site, explain what we will do, and give you a written estimate before any work begins. The cost depends on the size of the tree, its location, the condition of the roof, and whether a crane is needed. We will not know the exact price until we see the tree.
A seasonal checklist for Spokane roof-tree risks
| Season | What to check | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Late winter | Snow and ice buildup on branches | Look for cracked or bent branches over the roof. Knock off light snow with a long pole if reachable. |
| Spring | Roots and soil after heavy rain | Check for leaning trunks or exposed roots near the foundation. |
| Summer | Dry, brittle branches and storm damage | Remove dead branches before windstorms hit. |
| Fall | Wind and early snow | Have a professional inspect any tree that overhangs your roof. Plan pruning before winter. |
What not to do while the tree is on your roof
Do not walk on the roof. The tree may have broken the framing, and your weight could make it worse. Do not try to lift the tree with a jack or a car. Do not cut branches that are touching the house, because they may be holding the tree in place. Do not pull on the tree with a rope or chain. Do not use a chainsaw near the roof, especially if the roof is wet or the tree is under tension.
If the tree is leaning against the house but not penetrating the roof, do not open windows or doors on that side. The pressure could cause the tree to shift. Keep everyone away from that side of the house until the tree is removed.
If you have a generator, run it outside and away from windows. Carbon monoxide from a generator can kill you in minutes.
Related services
Related questions
Should I call my insurance company before or after I call a tree removal service?
Call your insurance company first if you have any doubt about coverage. They will tell you what they need to see and may require you to wait before you remove the tree. If the tree is blocking an exit or is a safety hazard, you can call a tree removal service immediately, but take photos first and keep a record of what was moved.
Will my insurance pay for the tree removal?
Most homeowners policies cover the cost of removing a tree that falls on a covered structure, such as your house or garage. They usually do not cover the cost of removing a tree that falls in the yard without touching a structure. Check your policy and talk to your adjuster to be sure.
How long does a typical tree-on-roof removal take?
A simple removal, where the tree is small and easy to reach, can take a few hours. A large tree that requires a crane and careful rigging can take a full day or more. The time depends on the size of the tree, the complexity of the rigging, and whether the roof needs temporary shoring to keep it from collapsing during the removal.
Can you remove a tree that is touching power lines?
We can remove a tree that is touching power lines only after the utility company has de-energized or insulated the lines. In Spokane, you need to call your utility company first. They will send a crew to handle the lines. Once the lines are safe, we can proceed with the tree removal.
What should I do if the tree is blocking my driveway and I need to leave?
If the tree is blocking your driveway, you can have a tree removal service cut a path through it, but keep the removed sections on your property for the insurance adjuster. Take photos first and write down where you moved the pieces. If the tree is blocking a public road, call the city or county road department.
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