Preparing Your Trees for Storm Season: Essential Tips
Storm season in Pennsylvania comes with little warning, bringing high winds and heavy rain that put your trees to the test. Knowing how to prepare trees for storm season gives you the best chance to prevent damage before it happens.
Storms can cause branches to snap, trunks to split, and what once felt like shade or beauty quickly becoming a safety concern for your home and yard. With the right upkeep and support from tree care professionals like McCauley Tree Service you can strengthen vulnerable trees, reduce risks, and keep your property protected when the weather turns.
Keep reading to learn the top tips for preparing your trees for storm season and then contact McCauley Tree Service for professional tree care.
Why Storm Preparation Matters
When storms roll through, trees are often the first casualties. High winds can turn dead limbs into flying debris, while saturated soil can weaken roots and cause entire trunks to topple. Even a single fallen branch has the potential to damage siding, dent vehicles, or knock out power for an entire block.
Preparing ahead of time protects your property and saves you money. Preventive tree maintenance costs far less than emergency tree removal storm damage services, which often come at inconvenient times and carry higher expenses.
Tree Storm Prep Tips for Homeowners
A little time spent on tree care before storm season can prevent big problems later. Use these practical tree storm prep tips to spot potential hazards:
- Check for cracks and weak branch unions. Branches that grow too close together (called co-dominant stems) are prone to splitting in high winds.
- Look for dead or hanging branches. These are the first to break when storms arrive.
- Inspect the base of the tree. Uprooting or exposed roots can mean the tree is unstable.
- Keep branches clear of structures. Limbs brushing against roofs, fences, or power lines are dangerous during storms.
- Evaluate tree species. Fast-growing softwoods like willows and poplars are more storm-prone and may need closer attention.
Prune Trees Before Storm Season
Pruning is one of the most effective ways to improve a tree’ structure and storm-proof your property. When you prune trees before storm season, you reduce the weight of heavy limbs and remove weak growth that would otherwise fail in high winds.
Certified arborists use methods like the three-cut pruning technique to safely remove larger branches without tearing bark or damaging the trunk. Just as important, we avoid harmful practices like “tree topping,” which weakens trees and makes them more vulnerable in future storms.
Tree trimming for storm safety also improves airflow through the canopy by thinning dense growth. This reduces wind load and makes it harder for gusts to push the tree over.
How to Inspect Trees for Storm Damage
Even with the best preparation, storms can leave behind hidden problems. After each storm, take time to carefully inspect trees for storm damage such as:
- Splitting or cracked limbs
- Bark peeling away from wounds
- Large branches stuck in the canopy (“hangers” or “widow makers”)
- Uprooting or soil heaving around the base
- Torn branches that expose raw wood
Minor storm tree damage can sometimes be fixed with pruning, but structural issues like deep trunk cracks or partial uprooting usually require professional help. In some cases, trying to stabilize a leaning tree may work if the root system is intact, but more often, unsafe trees need removal for long-term safety.
When to Call Tree Care Professionals
Homeowners can handle light pruning and basic inspections, but anything involving climbing, heavy branches, or chainsaws is risky without training. Storm-damaged trees, in particular, are unpredictable and dangerous.
McCauley Tree Service brings nearly 50 years of experience to this work. Our team uses proper pruning techniques, advanced forestry equipment, and our own crane to manage hazardous removals. When storms hit hard, we’re available for emergency tree removal storm damage services, helping homeowners restore safety quickly without unnecessary stress.
Strengthen Your Home Before the Next Storm Hits
Storms may be unpredictable, but preparing your trees ahead of time gives you peace of mind. Smart steps like pruning, canopy thinning, and regular inspections keep trees healthier and make them less likely to cause accidents when the weather turns.
With help from McCauley Tree Service, you’ll have a trusted team that understands both the science of tree care and the realities of PA’’s storm season.
Contact McCauley Tree Service today to get a free estimate on tree services in Pennsylvania.