A fallen branch does not always require the same response as a hanging limb, a damaged tree, or a branch touching a power line. Start by looking from a safe location and deciding whether the material is already fully detached and easily movable or whether it remains connected, suspended, heavy, or unstable.
Small Detached Storm Debris
A small, lightweight branch or other storm debris that is already completely detached and lying on open ground may be moved when:
- one person can easily handle it without cutting;
- it is not under tension or trapped beneath something;
- it is well away from overhead or downed power lines;
- it is not resting on a building, vehicle, fence, or other structure;
- you do not need to enter standing water, traffic, or another unsafe area; and
- the surrounding tree does not appear unstable.
Move ordinary small debris out of a walkway, driveway, mowing area, or other normal-use area when it is safe to do so.
Do Not Move or Cut a Hazardous Limb
Stop and keep clear if a branch or limb is:
- still attached or partially attached to a tree;
- hanging overhead;
- split, bent, or under visible tension;
- large or too heavy to move easily;
- resting on a roof, deck, fence, vehicle, or other structure;
- near a power line; or
- associated with a tree that is leaning, shifting, cracking, or otherwise appears unstable.
Do not climb the tree, use a chainsaw or pole saw, pull down a hanging limb, or drag a limb off a building or structure.
Stay Away From Power Lines
Treat any downed or damaged power line as energized. Dominion Energy advises staying at least 30 feet away from a downed line because electricity can travel through the ground, water, and other materials.
Do not touch a tree, branch, fence, vehicle, or other object that is contacting a power line. Review Dominion Energy's downed-power-line guidance.
If a Limb Hit the Property
If a tree or limb damaged the roof or water is entering through the ceiling, use the Roof & Ceiling Leak Problems guide.
If it damaged a deck, porch, fence, gate, shed, or another exterior structure, see Deck, Porch, Fence, Gate & Exterior Structure Problems.
Report the Tree or Limb Problem
If the branch is hanging, attached, heavy, unstable, affecting a structure, near a utility line, or otherwise outside ordinary small-debris cleanup, submit a maintenance request through the Rentvine resident portal.
Include the location, whether the limb is attached or fully detached, what it is resting on or near, whether power lines are involved, whether the tree itself appears damaged or unstable, and photos taken only from a safe location.
For other household problems, use the Resident Troubleshooting Library.
Published: September 2, 2026
