If you live anywhere near a coastline — like us Gulf Coast folks — you know that hurricanes don’t just bring rain and wind. They bring down trees. Big ones. Old ones. Even healthy-looking ones. But the truth is, hurricanes are just the headline act — tree damage can happen during any major storm: straight-line winds, microbursts, ice storms, you name it.
So whether you’re prepping for the next big named storm or just trying to keep your landscape safe through storm season, this blog is your blueprint for helping your trees survive when nature throws a tantrum.
🌬 Why Trees Fail in Storms
Before we jump into the solutions, let’s talk about the “why.” It turns out that we’ve done a lot of research to figure out WHY trees break, and if we can identify these “why’s,” then in theory, we can remove some of those “whys” and make the tree less likely to break during inclement weather such as hurricanes. Here are a few weak spots to look for on your tree:
- Structural defects like codominant stems, included bark, or unbalanced canopies make trees prone to splitting or snapping.
- Root issues from past construction damage, compacted soils, fungal pathogens, or shallow rooting can cause trees to fall over — even if the trunk looks healthy.
- Poor pruning (ahem… “lion’s tailing” anyone?) creates weak attachment points and increases wind resistance in all the wrong ways.
- Soil saturation during prolonged rain weakens anchorage and makes root plates more likely to heave. If you’ve got water pooling around your trees’ root system, you need to look at improving drainage, or possibly just cut back on your watering!
- Neglect — lack of regular inspection and maintenance allows small issues to become major hazards. It’s a great idea to have a well-qualified Tree Expert take a look periodically to make sure your tree is growing in the right direction!
Now that we’ve scared you a little (just a little), let’s talk about what you can actually do to prevent all this mess.
✅ Tree-Saving Strategies Before the Storm
1. Schedule a Tree Risk Assessment
Don’t just guess. Hire a qualified professional (preferably one who’s a Board Certified Master Arborist and ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist (Like me 😉)) to assess the health and structure of your trees. They’ll spot the subtle warning signs most people miss.
2. Prune Smart, Not Hard
Well-structured pruning reduces wind load and improves airflow through the canopy. But aggressive over-thinning, topping, or lion’s tailing? That just sets your tree up to fail. Always prune to ANSI A300 and ISA Best Management Practies (BMP) standards.
3. Address Codominant Stems
When two or more main stems compete for dominance, it creates a natural weak spot. If they’re small enough, one can be reduced. If they’re mature, consider installing cabling or bracing to reduce movement and prevent failure.
4. Improve Root Health
Compacted soils don’t just starve your tree of oxygen — they also prevent strong anchoring. Use tools like air spading to loosen soil, apply compost or biochar, and feed the microbial life with organic amendments.
5. Avoid Construction Damage
Building a pool, patio, or new driveway? Don’t let contractors dig through the critical root zone (typically 1.5x the dripline). Severing roots = future storm damage waiting to happen.
6. Install Lightning Protection (for Valuable Trees)
Especially for tall trees in open spaces. One lightning strike can shatter a tree like glass, or start internal decay that causes failure years later.
🚨 What NOT to Do
- Don’t wait until a storm is in the Gulf to call an arborist. (We book out fast!)
- Don’t rely on your landscaper for tree pruning — that’s like asking a dentist to do brain surgery.
- Don’t assume “it’s been fine so far” means your tree is safe. Many trees that fail in hurricanes looked “perfectly fine” the week before.
What About After the Storm?
After a hurricane or major storm, check your trees for:
- Uplifted soil or root plate movement
- Cracks at the base or major limbs
- Hanging branches
- Sudden canopy dieback
Have a professional inspect them even if no obvious damage is present — because hidden damage is the kind that’ll bite you in the next storm.
This Advice Isn’t Just for Hurricane Zones
Even if you’re not living in hurricane alley, storms are getting wilder and more frequent everywhere. A proactive tree care plan is just good homeownership — and an act of love for the trees that shade, cool, and beautify your space.
🌳 Final Word: Healthy Trees = Resilient Trees
Trees are survivors … in fact, they are genetically programmed to thrive in their proper environment, and yet be able to adapt in others!, but they’re not invincible. Preventing failure isn’t about panic — it’s about smart planning. Investing a little in proper care now saves a lot in removal costs, property damage, and heartache later.
Ready to get a pro’s eyes on your trees before the next storm rolls through?
💻 Book a Digital Tree Risk Assessment today at www.arboristondemand.com — no yard visit required!
My Best,
Matt Latham
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist #TX-3737B
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #859
ASCA Tree & Plant Appraisal Qualified
713.385.7040 | www.arboristondemand.com
in**@**************nd.org
