What constitutes a tree emergency?

A tree that has fallen across the road is definitely an emergency — but whom do you call? And what if the tree has brought down the utility lines? And what if it has fallen onto your house? Is everyone safe?

Australia’s primary emergency call service number is Triple Zero (000), which can be dialled from any fixed or mobile phone, payphones and certain Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. There are also two secondary emergency call service numbers—112 and 106.

Any storm, especially in tropical Queensland, can leave death and destruction — and tree emergencies — in its trail. The ABC publishes official warnings, and some councils send free severe weather alerts.

A tree that is hollow, too tall, too big, or with too broad a crown may well be dangerous, and so may one that sways too much in the wind or leans over too far. A tree should actually be twice the distance of its height from the nearest structure — but how many of us obey that fundamental rule?

You should watch out for holes in a tree trunk, missing bark and deep cracks, as well as dead branches and leaves falling from the outside in. Just because a tree is not at the peak of health should not be a death sentence though.

Arborclimb has been working on the Sunshine Coast for over 20 years, removing trees and grinding stumps, and we know and obey all the rules. Our staff are fully qualified, professional arborists , who can answer questions and give practical advice as well as deal with your problems. They know whether pruning or cables can save your tree and whether it is worthwhile saving.

Be wary of unscrupulous tree lopping operators who flout the law, making residents liable for thousands of dollars of fines for their illegal work. Rogue tree tradesmen knock on doors, offering to remove or trim large trees cheap without Council permission.

And never forget that Arborclimb on the Sunshine Coast has a 24-hour a day, seven-day-a-week emergency service in place just to help you.