Storm Related Tree Damage - 0721

Storm-Related
Tree Damage
Steps to take before and after severe storms that may damage trees.
Prevention
While it is impossible to prevent all storm-related damage to
trees, an ISA Certified Arborist® can help identify potential
areas of concern, and help prepare your trees for inclement
weather. Preventative tree care may include:
• Training your trees to improve their form.
• Identifying branch, trunk, and root defects that may

weaken a tree, and recommending ways to manage them.
• Removing dead or defective branches.
• Correcting problems caused by improper care practices,

such as topping, that have occurred in the past.
• Installing a lightning protection system to protect your

high value trees.
How Storms Damage Trees

Severe weather can have a lasting impact on your home and
its surrounding landscape.
During a storm, the failure of part or all of a tree may cause

significant damage to a property. For example:
• Strong winds can break tree branches and even uproot

trees, particularly when combined with the softening of
soils from heavy rain or snow storms.
• Heavy snow or ice loads on trees may cause tree branches

to break under the added weight.
• Lightning strikes generate heat that vaporizes water within

the tree, causing wood to rupture and bark to dislodge.
What to Do After Severe Storm Damage? 4: Hire an Arborist
1: Take Safety Precautions Professional arborists have the experience and equipment
Before getting ready to assess trees after a storm, it is needed to safely and efficiently remove or prune severely
important to consider the potential hazards: damaged trees and haul away unwanted debris.
• Broken limbs hanging overhead or uprooted trees ISA Certified Arborists are individuals who have
fallen and resting in other trees, on roofs or other built demonstrated a high level of knowledge and experience in
structures may continue to move during and after the tree care. They can help assess the extent of the damage
storm has passed. caused by a storm and help you decide what action is
appropriate.
• Trees and limbs under tension may react unexpectedly
when cut or moved.
• Damaged trees may be in contact directly or indirectly

with electrical wires which have the potential to cause
injury or death from electrocution. Removing trees
or branches in close proximity to electrical lines or
structures requires knowledge and experience.
When possible, stay clear of the area around damaged trees

and call the local emergency services, utility company, or an
What Is a Certified Arborist?
arborist. ISA Certified Arborists are individuals who have
proven a level of knowledge in the art and science
2: Assess the Damage of tree care through experience and by passing
a comprehensive examination developed by
Following damage from a storm, an arborist can assess your some of the nation’s leading experts on tree care.
tree(s) and advise on the: ISA Certified Arborists must also continue their
education to maintain their certification. Therefore,
• Extent of damages and whether or not the tree(s) can be they are more likely to be up to date on the latest
saved or require removal. techniques in arboriculture.
• Present or potential hazards associated with the damaged
tree(s). Finding an Arborist
Visit TreesAreGood.org for free tools:
After severe storms assessments of tree damage should
also take into account trees seemingly not damaged by • The “Find an Arborist” tool can help you locate an
the storm, particularly any larger trees near to locations of arborist in your area.
people or property. An ISA Certified Arborist® should
check such trees for cracks in trunks or limbs, hanging • The “Verify a Credential” tool enables
branches, or soil heaving. you to confirm whether an arborist has an ISA
credential.
3: Resist the Urge to Do It Yourself
Homeowners may be tempted to begin tree debris cleanup Be an Informed Consumer
prior to consulting an ISA Certified Arborist; however,
One of the best methods to use in choosing an
there are multiple potential hazards associated with tree
arborist is to educate yourself about some of the
damage repair or removal work, including:
basic principles of tree care. Visit TreesAreGood.org
• Having to work at height. to read and download all brochures in this series.
• Retrieving fallen tree parts on buildings or in contact with

utility services.
• Operating tree-cutting machinery and removal

equipment.
These and other such tree work operations—especially
debris cleanup—are inherently dangerous and should be www.isa-arbor.com • www.treesaregood.org
carried out by a professional arborist. ©2021 International Society of Arboriculture. (v02.2021)
Through research, technology, and education, the International Society of
Arboriculture promotes the professional practice of arboriculture and fosters
a greater worldwide awareness of the benefits of trees.

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Storm-Related

• Training your trees to improve their form.

• Identifying branch, trunk, and root defects that may

• Removing dead or defective branches.

• Correcting problems caused by improper care practices,

• Installing a lightning protection system to protect your

How Storms Damage Trees

During a storm, the failure of part or all of a tree may cause

• Strong winds can break tree branches and even uproot

• Heavy snow or ice loads on trees may cause tree branches

• Lightning strikes generate heat that vaporizes water within

• Damaged trees may be in contact directly or indirectly

When possible, stay clear of the area around damaged trees

• Retrieving fallen tree parts on buildings or in contact with

• Operating tree-cutting machinery and removal

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