Emergency Tree Removal Melbourne

Safety notice

If there is an immediate threat to life, contact emergency services. If powerlines or electricity infrastructure are involved, keep clear and contact the relevant electricity distributor.

Do not stand beneath damaged branches or move into an unsafe area to inspect the tree or take photos.

When to contact GDE

Send an urgent enquiry when:

• a tree or large branch has fallen;
• a tree has been damaged and appears unstable;
• the tree is affecting safe access to the property;
• a building, fence, vehicle or another structure is affected; or
• a recent change has created an immediate concern at the property.

Explain what you can see without placing yourself at risk. Do not try to pull down branches, cut the tree or clear the area if the tree is unstable or powerlines may be involved.

What to include in an urgent enquiry

Provide:

• the property suburb or postcode;
• your name and callback number;
• a short account of what has happened;
• whether the tree is standing, leaning, damaged or fallen;
• whether anyone is at immediate risk;
• whether access, buildings, fences or vehicles are affected;
• whether powerlines or electricity infrastructure are nearby or involved;
• any access restrictions; and
• clear photos taken only from a safe position.

If you cannot safely take photos, do not take them. Describe the situation by phone instead.

Photos that help without putting you at risk

A wide photo showing the tree and surrounding area is often more useful than a close-up alone. If it is safe to do so, show where the tree sits in relation to the building, fence, driveway or other affected area.

Do not approach a fallen tree to improve the angle. Do not touch a tree, branch, fence or vehicle if electricity infrastructure may be involved.

Availability and response timing

Emergency availability and response timing depend on operating hours, workload, access and site conditions. GDE will confirm whether the job can be attended and what information is required.

Making contact does not confirm attendance. Wait for direct confirmation from GDE and follow any instructions given by emergency services or the electricity distributor.

What happens next

GDE uses the location, description and safe photos to understand what has changed and what surrounds the tree. More detail may be needed before GDE can confirm whether the job can be attended.

If the job can be attended, confirm the agreed scope, contact details and access arrangements. The first scope may address the immediate hazard only, so check whether debris handling, remaining tree work or stump removal is included now or treated as separate follow-up work.

Related tree services

For a tree-removal enquiry that is not urgent, use the tree-removal page. If the tree has already been removed and the remaining stump is the concern, review stump removal.