Storm guide
What to do when a tree falls on your Memphis roof
Safety first, then the calls to make, the photos to take and what the repair involves.
By Cora Padgett, Roofing Guides Editor Updated October 2026
We answer 24/7 across Memphis and Shelby County
Quick answer
If a tree falls on your roof, get everyone out of the rooms under the damage, stay clear of downed power lines and call 911 if anyone is hurt or lines are down. Then photograph the damage, call your insurer, and call a roofer to cover the opening. A tree crew removes the tree before the roof is rebuilt.
First, make it safe
- Get out from under it. Keep everyone out of the rooms below the impact. Ceilings that have taken a trunk or a large limb can come down without warning.
- Watch for power lines. Treat every downed line as live. Stay well away, keep others back and report it to 911 and to MLGW.
- Shut off what is at risk. If water is coming in near light fixtures or outlets, turn off the breaker for that area if you can reach the panel safely.
- Do not climb up. A roof with a tree on it is unstable, and the tree can shift as it settles.
If the house feels unsafe, leave it. Everything else on this page can wait until people are out of danger.
Then make the calls, in this order
- Your insurer. Report the claim early. Ask whether the policy covers tree removal and temporary repairs, and keep every receipt.
- A tree crew. A large trunk on a roof is usually lifted off with a crane and cut in sections so it does not drop into the house.
- A roofer. We cover the opening as soon as the tree is clear, so rain does not do more damage than the tree did.
Call the roofer at the same time as the tree crew, not after. Coordinating the two means the opening is covered within hours of the tree coming off instead of the next day.
Tree on the roof right now?
Call any hour. We coordinate with the tree crew and cover the opening the moment it is safe.
Call (901) 459-6395Document everything before it moves
Take photos and video from the ground and from inside before anything is cleared: the tree, the roof, the ceilings, the rooms and anything damaged inside. Wide shots show the whole scene; close shots show the damage. Once the tree is lifted, the evidence changes, so a few minutes with a phone now saves arguments later.
Keep damaged items until the adjuster has seen them or says you can discard them, and write down when the tree fell and when each call was made.
What the roof repair involves
After the tree is off, we inspect from the attic and the roof. A limb that only scraped the surface may need shingles and flashing. A trunk that came through usually breaks decking and sometimes rafters, which have to be replaced or reinforced before new decking, underlayment and shingles go on. Gutters and fascia along the impact line are often bent or torn and get replaced at the same time.
We photograph the structure while it is open, so your insurer can see what was replaced and why.
| Damage | Usual repair |
|---|---|
| Scraped shingles | Replace the shingles and seal |
| Punctured decking | Cut out and replace the sheathing |
| Cracked rafter | Reinforce or replace the rafter |
| Torn gutter or fascia | Replace the damaged run |
Preventing the next one
Most limbs that land on roofs were hanging over them before the storm. Having an arborist check large trees near the house, and trimming branches back from the roofline, does more to protect a roof than any roofing material.
FAQ
Tree on the roof questions
A tree company. The roofer covers the opening once the tree is off and then rebuilds the roof.
Policies often cover removal of a tree that damages a covered structure, usually within a limit. Check your policy and ask your agent.
Only if the damage is limited and the rooms under it are closed off. If the house feels unsafe, leave until it is checked.
Usually the same day the tree is cleared, weather permitting. We answer 24/7.
Not always. Many tree hits are repaired in one section, but a large impact or an older roof can make replacement the better choice.
Tell your own insurer first. Responsibility depends on the tree's condition and local rules, and insurers sort that out between them.