Storms can cause more than just puddles and scattered debris. They can also severely damage trees in ways that may not be obvious at first. Hidden damage to a tree can be a serious safety hazard in the weeks or days that follow. It is important to know how to inspect your trees after a hurricane. This will keep you, your family and your neighbors safer.
This detailed checklist will help you assess your trees after a storm in a safe and thorough manner.
Safety First
Always put your personal safety first before you start any inspection. Conditions around trees that have been damaged by a storm can be unpredictable. Watch out for:
- Sagging or downed power lines : Stay away from any wires and contact the utility immediately.
- Hanging branches : Large limbs may break at any moment.
- Unstable Trees: A tree that is leaning or has a disturbed ground could fall at any time.
If you are unsure of your ability or the stability or the tree, never attempt to climb or cut a branch. If you’re unsure, ask a professional to help.
Check for Damage
Start by performing a visual inspection on each tree in your yard. Slowly walk around the tree and check for:
- Broken branches Pay special attention to large branches which have broken but are still lodged in the canopy. They need immediate attention as they may fall at any time.
- Split trunks or limbs: Splits and cracks can reduce the strength of the trunk or branches and require trimming or removal.
- Uprooted Trees Even partially uprooted tree can be a danger. The trees may lean and collapse in the future, particularly during windy conditions.
Prioritize the removal of trees and branches that pose a threat to structures, pathways or areas where pets or people spend time.
Carefully inspect the canopy
Check for: Check for:
- Widowmakers: These broken limbs are caught in branches that haven’t fallen yet.
- Broken branches or small pieces of foliage: Minor damage may indicate stress.
Binoculars can be used to see more clearly while staying on the ground. Never stand under any branches that seem suspicious.
Examine trunks and bark
Examine the main trunk of your tree. You should look for:
- Vertical splits or cracks : These can cause the tree to become unstable.
- Missing Bark: Large areas of missing bark, also called “bark stripping”, can indicate a significant trauma to the trees.
Trees with serious trunk damage are not likely to survive, and they could be hazardous in the future.
Inspecting the root zone
The foundation for any tree’s strength is its roots. Storm forces can disturb a tree’s roots, even if it is upright. Check around the base of a tree for:
- Raised soil: Raised soil or cracked soil surrounding the tree could indicate that the rootball has shifted.
- Exposed Roots: If roots are suddenly visible above the ground, they may have been displaced during a storm.
- Leaning Trees A lean that was not present before the storm indicates that the roots are compromised.
Even a tree that seems to be stable can lean and fall days or even weeks later, if the roots are weak.
Assess the overall stability in the days following the storm
Some damage may not be immediately apparent. After a storm, keep an eye out on your trees. Hidden root damage can be detected by:
- Sudden leaf loss
- Branches dying back
- New tilting or leaning
- Reduced leaf density
All of these signs can indicate that the tree may be stressed and unstable.
When to Call Professional Help
It’s a good idea to consult a certified arborist if you are unsure about the safety of a tree or if you notice significant damage. The professionals can evaluate the condition of the tree and determine whether it is salvageable with care and pruning, or if removal is needed to avoid future hazards.
Final Thoughts
After a storm, trees deserve careful attention. Some damage may be obvious, but other signs can take time to show up. In the days and even weeks following severe weather, regular inspections can protect your trees, people and property.
You can safely manage storm-damaged tree damage by knowing what to look out for and when to get professional advice.
This post was written by a professional arborist at Tree Removal Clearwater FL. Robert Miller is the owner of Arbor Wise Professional Tree Care, a locally owned and operated tree service company that offers superb lawn care by the most experienced Arborists. Arborwise Tree Services is a tree removal company that offers stump removal, tree pruning, stump grinding, fertilization, and tree restoration. We have an extraordinary lawn care industry notoriety covering the Pinellas county area.