How Proper Tree Pruning Can Prevent Storm Damage

It’s normal to feel a little uneasy when storms are in the forecast, especially if you have large trees near your home. Wind, rain, and saturated soil can all increase the risk of tree failure. However, with proper pruning, you can improve your trees’ storm resistance and reduce the chances of serious damage.

Key Takeaways:

• Regular pruning significantly reduces storm damage risk by removing dead or dying branches more likely to fail during high winds and severe weather.
• Professional pruning can eliminate structural defects like codominant stems (multiple trunks) and crossing branches that make trees more vulnerable to storm failure.
• Strategic branch removal prevents property damage by trimming branches too close to homes, power lines, and other structures before storms hit.
• Canopy thinning reduces wind resistance by selectively removing branches to decrease density, allowing wind to pass through rather than catching it.
• A professional tree service is essential for trimming large trees because they have the proper equipment and expertise to prune upper canopy branches that homeowners cannot reach safely.

The Damage Storms Can Do to Trees

• Most of us have seen what kind of chaos can ensue from a powerful storm, such as the massive storm at the end of 2024 that brought trees down and knocked out power throughout the MetroWest area. Storms like that can lead to flooded basements, damaged homes, and downed power lines. And trees often take the hardest hit. Some of the most common types of storm-related tree damage include:
• Downed branches
• Uprooting
• Root damage from flooding
• Trunk injuries from flying objects

Major storms and nor’easters can lead to the expensive removal of a downed tree and the need to fix the damage to your home. For this reason, it’s always better to try to prevent storm damage rather than work to clean it up in the aftermath.

4 Ways Pruning Helps Prevent Storm Damage

While there’s no way to make your tree 100 percent safe or avoid all risk of storm damage, regular pruning can increase safety around your tree and improve its health and stability year-round. Four reasons why pruning is beneficial for your trees include:

1. Remove Dead or Dying Branches

Whether through extreme weather, insect or disease damage, or just natural causes, branches in a tree’s canopy can end up dead, broken, or dying. These branches do not have the same structural integrity as healthy branches and are more prone to failure during a storm. They can even break during normal weather conditions if they become brittle and decayed enough.

Despite being a necessary service for trees, pruning does cause some amount of stress to them, even when done correctly. You can also only remove so much at a time without potentially killing your tree (generally no more than 30 percent in one session). Dead branches do not count toward this amount and do not add extra stress to a tree when pruned.

If you aren’t sure what is dead, an experienced tree service professional can make that distinction for you. This is even more difficult in the winter when trees do not have their leaves, and the difference between dead and dormant is subtle.

Trees with codominant stems, like the one pictured above, are more prone to failure in a storm. Photo by PumpkinSky, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2. Eliminate Structural Defects and Areas Prone to Failure

Sometimes, trees will develop poor structure over time, especially if they did not get adequate pruning in the past when they were young. One of the most dangerous developments for a tree is codominant stems (more than one trunk). Codominant stems are a common point of failure in a storm, as they aren’t attached as securely as other branches.

Other structural defects to be aware of include:

• Crossing or vertical branches
• Branches with excessive weight at the end
• Asymmetrical canopies

A professional can examine your tree, note any structural defects, and devise a plan to make your tree more secure during a storm. If they catch a codominant stem developing early, they can prune it to encourage one central trunk. If it is too late to remove one of the stems, they may suggest reduction pruning to decrease the load on the tree.

3. Get Rid of Branches Close to Structures

Trees will grow without regard for any nearby structures or utility lines. When they begin to shift and move from a storm, they can knock out the power lines or damage the roof or siding of your home. In these instances, it’s best not to let the branches get close to structures in the first place.

Pruning helps cut back branches, so they don’t get close enough to cause damage when the wind picks up during a storm.

4. Reduce Canopy Density

Tree canopies can become overgrown and overly dense if they don’t get consistent pruning. These types of canopies will catch a lot of wind, potentially leading to the tree toppling over when a nor’easter picks up.

Thinning the canopy involves selectively trimming branches to reduce density and allow more air and light to pass through. This will lead to your trees having a lower wind load during a storm and make them healthier by reducing humidity in the inner canopy that can cause mold or diseases to develop.

“When doing canopy thinning, it’s vital to keep it light and targeted. Trimming too many branches is a common pruning mistake that will stress the tree out and can leave it weak. If you aren’t sure what to prune, leave it to a professional.” – Rich Yurewicz, American Climbers Owner

Frequently Asked Questions About Pruning to Increase Storm Resistance

We know that many residents in MetroWest are worried about storm damage and their trees, so we’ve answered some common questions to help you better understand how you can protect your trees from damage.

Should I remove all of my trees to prevent storm damage?

No, you should not remove all your trees to try to prevent storm damage. We’ve seen that neighborhoods with the most tree cover actually have the least amount of damage and debris. The secret to protecting yourself is to have healthy, deeply rooted, well-maintained trees.

However, if a tree is dead or dying, removal may be the only way to keep your property safe from storm damage.

What are some signs my trees need storm damage pruning?

Some things to look for that indicate your tree is more of a risk of causing storm damage include:

• Dead patches in the canopy
• Multiple trunks
• Poor root structure (like girdling roots)
• Leaning tree
• Improper pruning practices like tree topping or lion tailing
• Overgrown and dense canopy

Should I trim my trees after a storm?

Yes, if the tree suffered damage from the storm, we recommend having a professional prune it to help it recover. Pruning after a storm should focus on cleaning up any broken branches and assisting a tree regain its vigor before the next storm hits. A professional company can help clean up after a storm and prune damaged trees.

Can I do storm damage prevention trimming myself?

While you may be able to prune smaller trees if you have the tools and knowledge, pruning large trees is best left to professionals. They have the equipment to easily reach the upper portions of the canopy to trim the branches safely without causing any injuries or harming your property.

Before the Next Storm Hits, Call American Climbers

Storms in the MetroWest area of Massachusetts can be unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for them. With strategic pruning, you can prepare your trees for a storm and lessen the risk of broken branches and damage to your property. When you want to ensure someone handles the job right, work with the professional team at American Climbers.

We have been pruning MetroWest trees for years, and we know exactly where and how much to cut to make your tree as safe as possible when a nor’easter or other extreme weather event hits. Call us today at 508-497-8628 or request a quote online for pruning or removing an at-risk tree.