Preparing Your Trees for Minnesota Storm Season
Minnesota's spring and summer months bring powerful thunderstorms and occasional tornados that can devastate unprepared landscapes. Before storm season arrives, taking proactive steps to strengthen your trees can prevent costly damage and protect your home and family. Holtz Tree Service recommends a comprehensive pre-storm inspection and maintenance program to ensure your trees are as resilient as possible when severe weather strikes.
Conduct a Professional Pre-Storm Inspection
The first step in storm preparation is a thorough assessment of your trees' current health and structural integrity. Look for signs of weakness including dead wood in the canopy, branches that cross and rub together, significant lean toward your house or property, and any visible cavities or hollow sections in the trunk. These vulnerabilities become dangerous liabilities during high winds and heavy rain.
Professional arborists can identify hazards that untrained eyes might miss. We look at branch attachment angles, which determine how well branches resist wind stress. Trees with narrow branch angles, common in some species, are more prone to splitting under storm load. We also assess overall tree health, since stressed or diseased trees fail at lower wind speeds than healthy specimens.
Remove Weak and Dead Branches
Dead wood is the first thing to go during storms. Dead branches are heavier when saturated with rain and more brittle, meaning they snap and fall rather than bending with the wind. A comprehensive tree trimming program removes all dead wood, making your trees significantly safer. This work should be completed at least several weeks before storm season begins.
Beyond dead wood, remove branches that are diseased, obviously weak, or growing in problematic directions toward structures. Branches with narrow attachment angles are particularly prone to failure. In a single professional pruning session, you can eliminate dozens of potential hazards that might otherwise become flying debris during severe weather.
Understand Your Trees' Storm Vulnerability
Different tree species have vastly different storm resistance. Ash trees, which have become more vulnerable since the arrival of emerald ash borer, are generally weaker in storms. Soft maples have brittle wood that cracks easily under wind stress. Bradford pears, popular ornamentals, are notorious for splitting in storms. In contrast, oaks are typically among the most storm-resistant trees, and conifers like spruce handle wind well because of their aerodynamic shape.
If your property has known storm-vulnerable species, prioritize these trees for pre-storm maintenance. Sometimes the best decision is removing a dangerous weak tree before storm season rather than hoping it survives another season. Emergency removal after storms is far more expensive and dangerous than planned removal during calm weather.
Develop an Emergency Action Plan
Know where you'll go and what you'll do if severe weather approaches. Identify safe rooms in your home away from large trees. Know how to shut off utilities if needed. Have contact information for tree services readily available—when storms strike, every contractor in the region becomes overwhelmed with calls. Calling emergency tree services immediately after a storm is often necessary to clear hazards from homes or roads.
Take photos and document your property's condition before storm season. After a storm, this documentation becomes invaluable for insurance claims. Note tree locations, species, any existing damage, and the overall landscape layout. These photos prove the baseline condition if storm damage occurs.
Check Your Insurance Coverage
Before storm season arrives, review your homeowner's insurance to understand what tree damage and removal costs are covered. Many policies limit coverage for tree removal unless the tree has fallen and damaged a structure. Some policies require that you've maintained trees properly to qualify for claims. Ensuring you have current documentation of professional maintenance strengthens any future insurance claim.
Keep all receipts and records of any tree care work performed before storms hit. This documentation proves you've maintained your property responsibly, which can be crucial if disputes arise over claim settlements.
Manage Rain and Wind Load
Trees fail during storms for two primary reasons: wind force and water saturation adding weight to the canopy. Proper pruning reduces the wind-catching sail area of branches, allowing wind to pass through more easily rather than putting stress on attachment points. Reducing crown density by selective pruning—removing interior branches rather than topping—maintains tree structure while decreasing wind resistance.
Avoid topping trees, which creates multiple weak shoots and actually increases wind damage risk. Instead, use proper thinning cuts to reduce weight and improve structure. This approach is far more effective and keeps your trees looking natural while improving their storm resilience.
Plant Storm-Resistant Species for the Future
As you plan landscape replacements, choose species known for storm resistance in Minnesota. Oak trees, conifers, and most native species handle Minnesota weather well. Consult with your arborist about the best choices for your specific property, considering mature size, rooting habits, and clearance from structures.
Proper planting and early establishment care help young trees develop strong root systems and appropriate structure. Trees planted correctly and pruned properly during their early years become your most storm-resistant assets in adulthood.
Need Professional Help?Holtz Tree Service provides comprehensive pre-storm preparation and storm damage cleanup throughout Central Minnesota. Call us at (612) 600-8513 or request a free estimate today.
