Strong winds, heavy rain, and saturated soil can damage trees even when nothing has fallen. After a storm, check your property for broken branches, fresh cracks, leaning trunks, and movement around the roots. Some storm-damaged trees need immediate attention, while others can be evaluated during a scheduled visit.
The safest approach is to inspect from the ground, keep your distance from anything unstable, and avoid cutting branches that may be under pressure.
Start With Immediate Safety Concerns
Before inspecting individual trees, look for hazards affecting the entire property.
Stay away from downed wires and anything touching them, including trees, fences, vehicles, and standing water. PSE&G advises staying at least 30 feet away and treating every downed wire as energized. Report the wire to your utility company or call 911 if there is an immediate danger. Never attempt to remove a tree or branch entangled with electrical lines. See PSE&G’s downed power line guidance.
Keep people and pets away from trees that are leaning, partially uprooted, resting against another tree, or holding large broken branches overhead.
Inspect Your Trees From the Ground
Walk around your property slowly, but do not stand directly beneath damaged trees. Look at each tree from several angles. A problem that is difficult to see from one side may be obvious from another.
Do not climb the tree or use a ladder for a closer look. Storm damage can leave branches and trunks less stable than they appear.
Look for Broken or Hanging Branches
Broken branches are among the most visible signs of tree storm damage. Look for:
- Branches hanging loosely in the canopy
- Limbs resting on roofs, wires, fences, or other branches
- Freshly exposed wood where a branch tore away
- Large branches that have changed position
- An uneven section of the canopy
A small branch lying loose on the lawn may be manageable. A large limb overhead, caught in another tree, or resting against a structure should be treated as a professional tree-care job.
Check the Trunk for New Cracks
Examine the trunk and major branch connections for damage that was not present before the storm. Fresh cracks, separated stems, peeling bark, and exposed interior wood may indicate structural damage.
Pay particular attention to trees with two large stems growing from the same point. Strong winds can cause these stems to begin separating. Our guide to a split tree trunk explains when this type of damage may be urgent.
Do not attempt to strap, bolt, or pull a split tree back together yourself. The visible crack may only be one part of the structural problem.
Look at the Roots and Surrounding Soil
Heavy rain can saturate the ground and reduce the support around a tree’s roots. Check the area around the base for:
- Newly exposed roots
- Cracked or lifted soil
- Mounding on one side of the tree
- A trunk that is leaning more than it did before
- Gaps forming between the trunk and the surrounding soil
A tree does not need to fall completely to become unstable. Root movement or a sudden lean after a storm should be evaluated promptly, especially when the tree is near a house, driveway, sidewalk, or neighboring property.
Know What Requires Urgent Attention
Contact a tree professional promptly when:
- A tree or large branch is resting on a building
- A heavy limb is hanging over an occupied area
- The trunk has developed a significant split
- The tree is newly leaning or partially uprooted
- Damage is blocking access to the property
- The tree has contacted utility lines
For an immediate hazard, use Caffrey’s emergency tree removal and tree damage cleanup page to request urgent assistance.
Be Careful With Storm Cleanup
It may be safe to collect small twigs and loose debris once you have confirmed that the area is clear of electrical and overhead hazards. Leave large branches, suspended limbs, and trees resting against other objects alone.
Bent and trapped branches may be under considerable tension and can move suddenly when cut. Work involving chainsaws, ladders, climbing, or heavy tree sections should be handled by a qualified tree professional. The International Society of Arboriculture provides additional guidance on responding safely to storm-related tree damage.
Check the Property Again Later
Not all storm damage is immediately obvious. Inspect your trees again over the following days, especially after the soil begins to dry.
Watch for branches that continue to drop, a lean that becomes more noticeable, expanding cracks, wilting foliage, or continued soil movement. If something has changed, photograph it from a safe distance so a tree professional can compare the damage over time.
A damaged tree does not automatically need to be removed. Depending on its condition, location, and remaining structure, the appropriate response may be pruning, monitoring, cabling, or removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if a tree was damaged during a storm?
Look for broken or hanging branches, fresh trunk cracks, newly exposed wood, lifted soil, damaged roots, or a tree that is leaning more than before the storm.
Should I remove broken branches myself?
Only small, loose debris that can be reached safely from the ground should be considered for homeowner cleanup. Leave overhead branches, heavy limbs, and anything requiring a ladder or chainsaw to a qualified professional.
Is a leaning tree always dangerous?
Some trees naturally lean. A new or suddenly increased lean after a storm is more concerning, particularly when accompanied by cracked soil, exposed roots, or movement around the base.
Can a storm-damaged tree be saved?
Sometimes. The decision depends on the amount of healthy canopy remaining, the location of the damage, the tree’s overall condition, and whether its structure remains stable.
What should I do if a tree is touching a power line?
Stay at least 30 feet away and keep others out of the area. Contact the utility company immediately or call 911 when there is an immediate hazard. Do not touch or attempt to remove the tree.
When should I request an emergency tree service?
Request emergency help when a tree or heavy limb has fallen on a structure, blocks safe access, is hanging over an occupied area, has become partially uprooted, or presents another immediate safety concern.