Lagos is known for its intense tropical storms and heavy downpours that can turn a peaceful compound into a hazard zone in minutes. When a tree on your property is suddenly leaning precariously, dropping massive branches, or showing signs of imminent collapse, it’s no longer a landscaping issue—it’s an emergency.

At Neatscape, we understand that a dangerous tree waits for no one. Whether it’s a result of a late-night storm or shifting coastal soil, knowing how to react can prevent a catastrophe.

Phase 1: Immediate Safety Steps

Before you pick up a tool or call for help, your priority must be the safety of everyone in the vicinity.

• Evacuate the “Fall Zone”: Identify the direction the tree is leaning and ensure all family members and staff stay clear of that area. Remember, a tree can fall much further than its height if branches shatter upon impact.

• Move Vehicles and Assets: If it is safe to do so, move cars, generators, and outdoor furniture away from the tree’s potential path.

• Cordon Off the Area: Use tape, ropes, or even heavy chairs to create a physical barrier to prevent people from accidentally walking under the tree in the dark or during rain.

Phase 2: Assess the Critical Danger Signs

How do you know if it’s an immediate emergency? Look for these specific red flags:

• Heaving Soil at the Base: If you see the ground lifting or roots snapping near the trunk, the tree’s foundation has failed. It could fall at any second.

• Tree Tangled in Power Lines: DO NOT TOUCH. If a tree or branch is touching electrical wires, stay at least 10 meters away. This is a high-voltage hazard that requires professional intervention.

• Deep Cracks in the Trunk: A vertical split or a large cavity that has suddenly worsened indicates the tree’s structural integrity is gone.

• Suspended “Hangers”: Large branches that have snapped but are currently caught in the canopy are a silent threat, ready to drop with the next gust of wind.

Phase 3: Why You Should Never DIY an Emergency Felling

When panic sets in, it’s tempting to grab a machete or a chainsaw and try to “help” the tree down. In Lagos, this often leads to more harm than good for several reasons:

1. Unpredictable Tension: A leaning or fallen tree is under immense structural tension. Cutting the wrong branch can cause the tree to “spring” or kick back with lethal force.

2. Structural Damage: Without professional rigging, a DIY attempt can result in the tree falling onto your roof, fence, or your neighbor’s property.

3. The “Sail” Effect: In the middle of a Lagos storm, the wind can catch a partially cut tree and whip it in a direction you didn’t plan for.

How Neatscape Handles Your Emergency

When a tree becomes a threat overnight, Neatscape provides the rapid response and technical expertise needed to secure your property. Our emergency protocol focuses on:

• Rapid Hazard Stabilization: We don’t just start cutting; we first stabilize the situation to prevent further damage to your home.

• Precision Rigging: Using professional-grade ropes and harnesses, we “dismantle” dangerous trees piece-by-piece to ensure every segment is lowered safely to the ground.

• Power Line Safety: We work with an understanding of local utility risks to ensure felling is done without causing electrical accidents.

• Storm-Proof Advice: After the emergency is over, we provide a full compound assessment to identify other trees that might pose a risk in the next storm.

Don’t Wait for the Crash

If you woke up to a leaning tree or heard the crack of a major limb last night, don’t wait for the next storm to finish the job. A dangerous tree is a liability you can’t afford.

Contact Neatscape immediately for emergency tree assessment and felling. We help you keep your Lagos home safe, even in the middle of a storm.