Preparing trees for extreme weather is crucial to preventing property damage. This guide outlines essential steps to protect trees from storms, ice, and strong winds.
Storms and harsh weather can turn trees from beautiful landscape features into serious hazards. High winds, heavy rain, ice, and snow can snap branches, uproot trees, and damage property. Without proper preparation, trees may fall on homes, vehicles, power lines, or even people.
The good news? With the right seasonal tree care, you can prevent major damage and keep your trees strong year-round. This guide will walk you through:
- How storms and extreme weather affect trees
- Seasonal tree care steps to prevent storm damage
- What to do after a storm
- When to call a professional tree service
By following these steps, you’ll protect your property, reduce risks, and keep your trees thriving no matter the season.
How Storms and Harsh Weather Affect Trees
Trees face different threats depending on the season and type of weather. Understanding how wind, rain, snow, ice, and lightning impact trees can help you spot potential dangers before they become serious problems.
High Winds (Spring & Summer Storms, Hurricanes, Tornadoes)
- Snaps large branches – Weak or overgrown limbs can break and fall.
- Uproots trees – Saturated soil and strong gusts can cause trees to tip over.
- Damages weak trunks – Cracks and splits form in trees with existing structural issues.
- Large branches with no leaves (outside of winter) may be dead.
- Dead limbs can snap and fall, creating a hazard for people and property.
What You Can Do: Regularly prune dead or overgrown branches to reduce wind resistance and lessen the chances of breakage.
Heavy Rain & Flooding (Spring & Fall Storms, Hurricanes)
- Soggy soil weakens roots – Trees become unstable and prone to uprooting.
- Promotes root rot – Excess moisture leads to fungal infections and disease.
- Waterlogged trees lose strength – Soft, saturated wood is more likely to split.
What You Can Do: Ensure proper drainage around trees to prevent standing water. Adding mulch helps retain moisture without waterlogging the roots.
Ice & Snow (Winter Storms, Freezing Rain)
- Ice buildup snaps branches – The extra weight causes limbs to break.
- Heavy snow bends and splits trees – Weak or young trees are especially vulnerable.
- Salt damage near roads weakens roots – Road salt affects tree health over time.
What You Can Do: Wrap young trees in burlap for protection and gently remove snow buildup from branches after storms.
Lightning Strikes (Summer Thunderstorms)
- Kills trees instantly – Some trees can’t recover from a direct hit.
- Burns or splits bark – Even if the tree survives, it may weaken over time.
- Increases risk of falling – Damaged trees can be unstable and dangerous.
What You Can Do: If you live in a high-risk area, consider installing lightning protection systems for large trees near your home.
Seasonal Tree Care: How to Prepare for Harsh Weather
Each season brings unique challenges for tree health and stability. Regular maintenance helps reduce storm damage and keeps your trees in top shape all year long.
Spring & Summer: Strengthen Your Trees Before Storm Season
Spring and summer storms can bring heavy rain, high winds, and lightning. Use these months to reinforce your trees before bad weather hits.
- Inspect trees for weak branches – Look for dead limbs, cracks, or signs of disease.
- Prune overgrown branches – Trim heavy limbs to prevent breakage.
- Check for pests or disease – Early treatment prevents tree weakness.
- Mulch around the base – Mulch regulates soil moisture and protects roots from extreme heat.
- Water deeply – Regular watering strengthens roots, making trees more wind-resistant.
Fall: Prepare for Storms & Harsh Weather
Fall is the best time to get trees ready for strong winds, heavy rain, and early snowfall.
- Remove weak or dying trees – If a tree is unhealthy, it’s more likely to fall in a storm.
- Thin out dense canopies – Reducing tree density lets wind pass through without breaking branches.
- Inspect tree roots – Make sure soil erosion hasn’t exposed roots, making trees unstable.
- Brace young trees with stakes – High winds can knock over small or newly planted trees.
Winter: Protect Against Ice & Snow Damage
Winter storms bring freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and ice accumulation. A little preparation can prevent branches from breaking under the weight.
- Shake off excess snow – Gently remove snow from low-hanging branches.
- Wrap young trees – Use burlap or tree wraps to prevent cold stress.
- Avoid salt exposure – Road salt damages tree roots, so try to direct runoff away from them.
What to Do After a Storm
Even with good preparation, storms can still cause tree damage. Here’s what to do after severe weather:
- Inspect trees carefully – Look for cracked limbs, leaning trunks, or uprooted roots.
- Avoid standing near damaged trees – Hanging branches can fall without warning.
- Check for power line hazards – If a tree is touching or near power lines, call the utility company.
- Contact a tree service for a professional assessment – Experts can determine if a tree needs to be pruned, treated, or removed.
When to Call a Professional Tree Service
Some tree maintenance tasks can be done yourself, but others require expert care. You should call a professional if:
- A tree is leaning dangerously or has uprooted.
- You see large dead branches hanging over your house, driveway, or power lines.
- A tree has signs of disease, such as decaying bark, fungus growth, or pest infestations.
- You need emergency tree removal after a storm.
Hiring a certified arborist ensures that tree care is done safely and correctly. A professional will know whether a tree can be saved or if removal is the best option.
Protect Your Trees Before the Next Storm – Call Bark Busters Tree Service Today!
Storms are unpredictable, but you can prepare your trees ahead of time to minimize damage. Don’t wait until the next big storm hits—Bark Busters Tree Service can help prune, inspect, and remove hazardous trees before they become a problem.
📞 Call Bark Busters Tree Service today to schedule a tree inspection and storm preparation service!
5899 TN-58, Harrison, TN 37341
