Tree Care After a Storm

The first cleanup pass after a storm should focus on hazards, not appearance. Once unstable trees and hanging limbs are addressed, the remaining canopy can be evaluated for what should be pruned, retained, monitored, or removed.

Priority one: active hazards

Address trees on structures, blocked access, hanging limbs, major splits, and root movement before cosmetic debris.

Priority two: damaged but standing trees

Some trees can be retained after selective pruning if the trunk, roots, and remaining canopy are still viable.

Avoid over-pruning after damage

Storm loss has already reduced the canopy. Removing additional live branches without a clear reason can add stress.

Recheck later

Some cracks, decline, or stability changes become easier to see after leaves emerge, weather changes, or the site has dried out.