Emergency Tree Removal in Nashville, TN
Tree down on the house, a car or the driveway? Start with safety and photos, then get the tree off and the stump handled.
- Power line safety first
- Insurance basics
- Free stump quote after
Emergency tree removal, in short
If a tree touched a power line, stay back and call 911, then report it to NES at 615-234-0000. Otherwise, get people clear, take photos before anything moves, and call your insurer if the tree hit the house, garage or fence. Then get a written quote to take the tree down and haul it off. Once that’s done, the stump is usually left behind, and we can quote stump grinding from a photo. For the full storm checklist, see the storm season guide.
First 15 minutes
- Get everyone clear. Keep kids and pets away from the tree, hanging limbs and any wires.
- Power lines are 911. Treat any downed or touching line as live. Call 911 and report outages to NES at 615-234-0000.
- Gas smell? Leave the house and call 911 and your gas utility from outside.
- Photograph everything before anything is moved: the tree, the damage, the roof, cars and fences.
- Call your insurer if the tree hit the house, a detached garage or a fence. Some policies require prompt notice.
Is it really an emergency?
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Tree on a power line | 911 and NES first. No tree work until the utility clears it. |
| Tree on the house, roof or car | Urgent. Photos, insurer, then a pro removal in sections. |
| Blocking the only driveway | Urgent. Get it cut and moved; some insurers cover this case. |
| Leaning hard with roots lifting | Urgent. Keep clear and get it assessed soon. |
| Down in the yard, hit nothing | Not an emergency. Get a couple of quotes for a scheduled removal. |
| Only a stump is left | Not an emergency. Stump grinding can be scheduled. |
Cost and insurance
Most standard tree removal jobs run about $400 to $1,200, with large, tight or hazardous trees running $2,000 to $3,000 or more. Storm-damaged and rush jobs often cost more because the work is slower and riskier. When the tree hits a covered structure, most homeowners policies pay for the damage and part of the removal, usually capped around $500 to $1,000. Your deductible still applies. The storm guide’s insurance section walks through each case.
Price ranges are typical estimates, not a quote. Get the price in writing before work starts.
Hiring carefully after a storm
- Ask for proof of insurance and any license the job needs. Check licenses at verify.tn.gov.
- Get it in writing: what’s cut, whether haul-away is included, and whether the stump is ground or left.
- Be wary of door knockers who want full payment up front or want you to sign over your claim.
- Metro brush pickup won’t take debris left by a hired company, so make sure haul-away is in the price.
Our hiring checklist covers the same questions for the stump job afterward.
After the tree is gone
Emergency crews focus on getting the tree off the house and out of the way. The stump is usually left behind. Once things settle, send us a photo of the stump, its width at ground level, your narrowest gate and your ZIP, and we’ll give you a free quote to grind it below the soil line. Tennessee 811 should be called before grinding so public lines are marked.
Where we take requests
Quotes are available across Nashville and nearby Middle Tennessee, including Donelson, Hermitage, Madison, Antioch, Bellevue, Green Hills, Old Hickory, East Nashville, Goodlettsville, Whites Creek, Crieve Hall, Brentwood, Franklin, Nolensville, Mount Juliet, Hendersonville, Gallatin, Smyrna, Inglewood, Bordeaux, Sylvan Park, The Nations, 12 South, West End, Belle Meade, Forest Hills, Oak Hill and Germantown.
Emergency tree removal: common questions
What counts as an emergency tree removal?
A tree or large limb that is on the house, a car or a fence, blocking the only driveway, leaning hard after a storm with roots lifting, or hung up over a roof or play area. If it touches a power line, that is a 911 and NES call first, not a tree job yet.
A tree is on a power line. Who do I call?
Stay back and call 911. Report the outage to NES at 615-234-0000. Treat every downed or touching line as live, and don’t let anyone cut limbs that are on a line until the utility clears it.
Does insurance pay for emergency tree removal?
Usually only when the tree hits something the policy covers, such as the house, a detached garage or a fence. Removal is then usually covered up to a cap, generally about $500 to $1,000 depending on the insurer and policy, according to the Insurance Information Institute. A tree that falls in the yard and hits nothing usually isn’t covered. Check your own policy and call your insurer quickly.
Is emergency tree removal more expensive?
Often, yes. Storm-damaged, tangled or leaning trees take more care to take down safely, and rush or after-hours work usually costs more than a scheduled job. Most standard tree removal runs about $400 to $1,200, with large, tight or hazardous trees higher. Get the price in writing before work starts.
Should I sign with the first crew that knocks on my door?
Be careful. After storms, out-of-town crews often go door to door. Ask for proof of insurance, check any license at verify.tn.gov, get more than one bid when the situation allows, and don’t sign over your insurance claim to a stranger.
What about the stump after the tree is gone?
Emergency crews usually cut the tree up and haul it off but leave the stump. Once the urgent part is over, send us a photo of the stump and we’ll quote grinding it below the soil line.
Is the quote free?
Yes. The quote is free and there is no obligation. Send us a photo of the stump, its width at ground level and your narrowest gate, and we’ll give you a firm quote.
Tree gone? Get the stump handled
Call, or send the form with a photo, your ZIP and whether the tree is still down or already hauled off. We’ll get back with a free quote. No obligation.