Tree Blocking Your Driveway: What to Do Now
A fallen tree blocking your driveway — how to stay safe around downed limbs, whether it's your responsibility, and how fast we can clear it.
First — Are You Safe?
Before you do anything else:
- Check for downed power lines. If any are near the tree, stay well clear and call your utility.
- Note tension in the tree. Trees on the ground can still be under tension where limbs are pinned. Cutting the wrong side releases stored energy fast.
- Stay behind the tree’s fall zone. Even a “down” tree can shift when parts settle.
If lines are involved or the tree is on a car with someone potentially inside, call 911.
Whose Problem Is It?
- Tree on your property: yours to remove
- Tree from a neighbor’s yard into your driveway: in NY, usually the property where it landed handles cleanup; homeowners insurance often covers
- Tree from public land or across a public road: the town or state may respond; call the municipality’s non-emergency line
- Tree on a rented property: usually the landlord’s responsibility to arrange, but tenant should call it in
How Fast We Get There
We prioritize access emergencies. If you can’t get in or out of your driveway — especially with kids, pets, or work commitments — that’s an urgent call. Same-day dispatch, usually within a few hours in normal conditions and by end of day during major storm events.
Call 914-907-4131. Give us:
- Your address
- Rough size of the tree (compared to your house is fine)
- Whether power lines are involved
- Whether it’s blocking just your driveway or affecting neighbors
What Cleanup Looks Like
For a straightforward driveway block:
- Assessment — confirm no lines, check tension, plan cuts
- Sectioning — chainsaw the tree into manageable pieces starting from the end
- Removal from driveway — pieces hauled to the truck or chipped
- Full haul-off — brush chipped, chunks loaded, driveway swept
Typical time on site: 1–4 hours depending on size.
Insurance
Homeowners insurance usually covers cleanup when a tree damages property or blocks access — but not preventive cleanup of undamaged trees. Full detail in our insurance coverage guide.
Bottom Line
Call 914-907-4131. Don’t try to move a large downed tree yourself, especially with lines involved. We dispatch 24/7 and prioritize access emergencies.
Related: emergency tree service, storm damage cleanup, tree fell on house, what to do.