What Should You Do With a Storm-Damaged Tree?

CHECK THE TREE FROM A SAFE DISTANCE FIRST

Before walking underneath a storm-damaged tree, stop and look at it from somewhere safe.

Storm damage can leave branches caught in the canopy or partially attached to the tree. They may look secure from below but can move or fall with very little warning.

From a distance, look for obvious changes such as:

• Broken or hanging branches.
• Freshly exposed wood.
• Large limbs caught in other branches.
• A noticeable change in the tree’s lean.
• Cracks in the trunk or major branch unions.
• Movement or lifting around the roots.

If something large is hanging above an area people normally use, keep people away until the tree has been assessed.

LOOK FOR BROKEN OR HANGING BRANCHES

Broken branches are probably the most obvious form of storm damage, but they aren’t always lying on the ground.

A branch can split away from the tree and remain suspended in the canopy, supported by other limbs. Arborists often refer to these as hanging or suspended branches.

They can be particularly hazardous because you may not know how securely they are being held.

A branch that survived the storm in the tree isn’t necessarily going to stay there.

Avoid standing underneath it, shaking nearby branches or trying to pull it down yourself.

HAS THE TREE STARTED LEANING?

Some trees naturally grow on an angle, so a leaning tree isn’t automatically an unsafe tree.

What is much more important after a storm is whether the tree has changed position.

A new lean can indicate that the root system or surrounding ground has moved.

From a safe distance, look around the base for:

• Freshly lifted soil.
• Cracks opening in the ground.
• Newly exposed roots.
• A raised area on one side of the tree.
• Movement that wasn’t there before the storm.

A large tree with a noticeable new lean and movement around the roots should be treated cautiously and professionally assessed.

WATCH FOR FRESH CRACKS AND SPLITS

High winds can place enormous loads through major branches and where stems join together.

Sometimes that results in a complete branch failure. Other times, the branch remains attached but develops a crack.

Look for:

• Fresh splits in major branches.
• Cracks where two large stems meet.
• Fresh pale wood showing through the bark.
• A branch sitting differently from before.

Avoid pulling, pushing or climbing onto a cracked branch to see how secure it is.

If it is large enough to cause damage if it fails, it’s better to have it assessed.

DON’T RUSH IN WITH A CHAINSAW

When branches are down after a storm, the natural reaction can be to start cutting everything into manageable pieces.

But storm-damaged wood can behave very differently from an ordinary branch lying freely on the ground.

Bent, trapped or partially broken branches can be under considerable tension or compression. Once cut, they may move suddenly.

That is one reason storm clean-up can be more hazardous than normal garden pruning.

If a branch is large, twisted, suspended, trapped under another tree or still attached above ground, don’t assume you know which way it will move when cut.

BE EXTRA CAREFUL AROUND POWERLINES

Storms can bring branches into contact with overhead lines or leave trees leaning towards them.

Never assume a fallen or damaged line is safe, and don’t try to move a branch that is touching or close to electrical infrastructure.

Keep well clear of the area and have the appropriate professionals deal with the electrical hazard before any tree work is attempted.

This is not a situation for ladders, pole saws or DIY chainsaw work.

DOES A DAMAGED TREE ALWAYS NEED TO COME DOWN?

No.

Storm damage doesn’t automatically mean tree removal is necessary.

A healthy tree may lose one or more branches and still be perfectly capable of remaining in the landscape after appropriate pruning.

The important question is how the damage has affected the remaining structure of the tree.

An arborist may recommend:

• Removing broken or hanging branches.
• Selective pruning of damaged areas.
• Ongoing monitoring.
• Further tree maintenance.
• Removal where the remaining tree presents an unacceptable risk.

The extent of visible damage is only part of the decision.

CHECK YOUR TREES AGAIN AFTER THE WEATHER CLEARS

Not every problem becomes obvious immediately.

Once conditions have settled, it’s worth taking another look at larger trees around your home, driveway and other frequently used areas.

You’re looking for changes rather than trying to perform a detailed tree inspection yourself.

Compare the tree with how it normally looks and pay attention to anything new.

If something doesn’t look right, getting it checked early can be much easier than waiting until the next spell of bad weather.

WHEN IN DOUBT, KEEP CLEAR AND GET IT CHECKED

The most useful thing you can do after a storm is recognise when a tree has changed.

Broken branches, fresh cracks, a new lean or movement around the roots are all good reasons to take a closer look — but that doesn’t mean you personally need to get closer.

If there’s a possibility that something large could move or fall, keep the area clear and get professional advice.

Kirkwood can assess storm-damaged trees, remove hazardous branches and recommend whether tree maintenance or removal is the appropriate next step.

You may also want to read our guide to 7 signs a tree could be dangerous.