Tree impact and roof damage: coordinate the arborist and roofer

Keep people away from the uncertain area

If a tree or branch is resting on the roof, near utility lines or still shifting, keep people and pets away and use the appropriate emergency or utility contact. Do not climb onto the roof, cut loaded limbs or move debris to improve a photograph.

The International Society of Arboriculture says storm-damaged tree work can be dangerous and recommends trained professional help. A roofing provider can assess the building envelope after the area is made safe, but that does not make the roofer responsible for hazardous tree work.

Create one timeline from safe locations

Record when the impact was noticed, weather conditions, the affected roof area, visible interior water and actions already taken. Save ground-level and interior photos with original timestamps and note any location that could not be observed safely.

Keep statements factual: branch on north slope, ceiling stain below hallway, or temporary cover installed at a stated time. Avoid assigning cause, structural condition or tree viability unless the appropriate professional documents it.

Define the arborist and roofing scopes separately

Ask the tree professional to describe stabilization, pruning or removal work and the safe handoff point. Ask the roofing provider to describe temporary water control, accessible damage assessment, permanent repair and areas hidden by the tree or debris.

Identify who coordinates access and protects the structure while tree material is removed. A temporary cover may limit additional water but is not a permanent repair, and removal of the branch does not establish that the roof is sound.

Reconcile both closeout records

Retain tree-work photos, the roof finding, accepted repair scope, changes, product details and completion evidence. List unresolved interior, structural, electrical or landscape work rather than allowing it to disappear between providers.

Add later leakage, movement or tree-condition observations as new dated entries. If conditions change, share the combined timeline and request reassessment instead of assuming the original work addressed every consequence.

Related guides

• Storm roof photos: build a useful record from safe locations
• Temporary roof protection: questions to bridge the gap to permanent repair
• Roof repair closeout: confirm what changed and what remains