Is Your Property Storm-Ready? Tree Safety Tips Before Severe Weather Hits

With three damaging wind and storm events in less than a month, southeastern Pennsylvania and central New Jersey homeowners are learning the hard way that unprepared trees can turn a summer storm into a five-figure repair.

• July 8 9: straight-line winds toppled trees onto cars in West Vincent Township, knocking out power to thousands.
• June 19: a fast-moving squall line triggered tornado warnings across Philly suburbs and littered roads with snapped limbs.
• Ongoing: crews in Chester, Bucks, and Montgomery counties have found roof punctures, smashed fences, and root plates heaved out of water-logged soil.

At Beyond the Leaf Tree & Shrub Experts, we’ve answered a surge of post-storm calls-many preventable with a little proactive tree care. Use the guide below to blend DIY vigilance with the professional help that keeps your trees and property out of the headlines.

1. How to Prep Trees for Storm Season

Quick wins you can tackle this weekend

• Document your trees: Snap “before” photos now-they’re gold for insurance claims.
• Walk your yard: Look for dead limbs or trees, peeling bark, cracks at branch unions, mushrooms near root flares, or soil “heaving” on one side of the trunk.
• Clear the drop zone: Move patio sets, play gear, or parked cars out from under large canopies.
• Mulch smartly: Spread a 2 3-inch layer over the root zone but keep mulch 6 inches from the trunk.
• Cut back vines: Ivy, bittersweet, and wisteria add sail area and hide decay; sever and peel them off.
• Secure young trees: Stake young trees and tie tall shrubs loosely so they sway but don’t topple.

Professional moves we handle

• Structural tree pruning: We’ll remove weak, rubbing, or over-extended limbs so the canopy flexes-rather than fails-under gusty winds. Proactive pruning gives your trees the best chance of staying secure during severe weather.
• Tree cabling & bracing: We’ll install high-strength steel cables and through-bolts to support V-shaped co-dominant stems and heavy limbs that extend over roofs.
• Lightning protection: We can install copper conductors that safely route lightning strikes into the ground-essential for specimen oaks near structures, power lines, or utilities.
• Soil revitalization: We offer air-spade decompaction plus slow-release fertilization to rebuild the fine roots that anchor trees during blow-overs in saturated soil.

Ready to storm-proof your landscape? Protect your trees, home, and family before severe weather strikes. Schedule a complimentary Storm-Ready Assessment with our ISA Certified Arborists at Beyond the Leaf.

Call to schedule:

Pennsylvania: 610-839-7845

New Jersey: 908-304-9649

2. Identifying High-Risk Trees: Red Flags That Demand Action

Perform this visual scan of your lawn-then call an arborist before the next storm arrives.

1. Cracks & splits: Deep fissures along the trunk or major limbs.
2. Co-dominant stems with included bark: Narrow V-shaped forks that twist apart in high winds.
3. Root-plate movement: Fresh soil mounds, leaning trunks, or exposed roots on one side.
4. Dead or hanging branches: Leafless limbs mid-season or broken “hangers” caught in the canopy.
5. Visible decay: Mushrooms, conks, carpenter-ant frass, or soft wood at the base.
6. Cavities & hollows: Large openings or a hollow sound when tapped.
7. Previous topping cuts or storm wounds: Weakly attached re-sprouts snap easily.
8. Over-extended limbs above targets: Long horizontals stretching over roofs, driveways, or play areas.

Think your tree might be high-risk? Give us a call today for a hazardous tree assessment.

For Pennsylvania: 610-839-7845

For New Jersey: 908-304-9649

3. Maintaining Trees to Improve Wind Resistance

1. Start young: One central leader with well-spaced side branches sets decades of stability.
2. Plant storm-tough species: Live oak, bald cypress, ginkgo, and sweetgum outlast brittle Bradford pears and silver maples.
3. Respect the root zone: Keep trenching, heavy machines, and driveways outside the dripline.
4. Water deeply, not daily: Weekly soakings to 8 10 inches grow anchor roots; shallow sprinkles encourage surface roots.
5. Schedule check-ups: A biennial arborist visit uncovers hidden decay before it escalates.

4. Caring for Trees After a Storm

• Stay clear until assessed: Leaning trunks, hanging limbs, and downed conductors require pros.
• Photograph storm damage: Wide and close shots speed insurance claims and guide our crew.
• Prioritize hazards: We remove threats over structures, driveways, and lines first; cosmetic cleanup later.
• Monitor delayed decline: Book a six-month re-inspection to catch pests or decay that show up after stress.

5. Emergency Preparedness for Extreme Weather

• Save critical numbers: Utility outage line, insurance carrier, and our phone number.
• Know your shut-offs: Gas and main breaker panels should be clear of tree-fall zones.
• Stage supplies: Tarps, roofing nails, flashlights, fresh batteries-all in a dry bin.
• Plan alternate exits: If your main drive passes beneath mature canopy, have a backup route.

Frequently Asked Questions for Storm Prep

When should I book a pre-storm inspection?

Late winter early spring is ideal, but any time you spot hazards works-especially in an active storm year like 2025.

Will pruning weaken my tree?

No. Proper structural cuts relieve weight and heal smoothly-better than ragged storm tears.

How do I know if tree cabling is necessary?

Look for V-shaped forks, heavy limbs beyond the canopy edge, or old storm wounds; we confirm on-site.

Can you save a tree that split in a storm?

Often yes-if < 25 % of the trunk is separated and decay is minimal. We install through-bolts, add cables, and monitor annually.

What does storm-damage cleanup cost?

Depends on size, access, and hazard severity; we give written estimates and work with insurers.

Do you offer priority response plans?

Yes-our Storm-Ready Service Agreement puts you at the top of the emergency queue and includes an annual inspection.

Ready to Be Proactive? Contact Beyond the Leaf Now

Prevention costs a fraction of storm repairs. Schedule your free Storm-Ready Assessment today-call 610-839-7845 for PA, 908-304-9649 for NJ, or request a visit online.

Stay safe, stay shaded, and let nature’s giants thrive-storm-ready and strong!