Storm Damage to Trees

What should I do first after a storm?

Stay back from damaged trees until you have checked the area for hazards. Look up for hanging branches, called widow makers, and look down for downed power lines. Treat every downed line as live and call your utility. If water is rising or the ground is flooded, personal safety comes before any tree. Follow local emergency guidance and do not enter standing water near downed lines.

If someone is injured or a tree has struck a building or a road, call emergency services. Do not begin cutting until you know the area is safe. Keep children and animals away.

If a storm leaves you without power or phone service, make a plan for how to reach help and how to check on neighbors, especially older residents. Ready.gov has general planning tips.

How do I judge what is dangerous?

Trees under tension, with bent trunks or tangled branches, can spring suddenly when cut. Leaning trees, split trunks, uprooted trees with lifted root plates and large broken limbs hanging in the crown are all high-risk. Taking a day to think and make a plan is usually safer than starting right away when you are tired and stressed.

If you are unsure, do not touch it. Storm cleanup is a common cause of injury, often from chainsaws and from trees that move unexpectedly. A certified arborist or professional tree service with insurance can handle complex jobs.

• Hanging branches over areas where people walk or drive
• Trees leaning toward buildings
• Cracks in the trunk or main limbs
• Uprooted trees with soil heaved up

Which trees can be saved?

Many trees recover from losing branches, especially young, healthy ones. A tree that has lost a large share of its crown, has major splits in the trunk or has root damage is less likely to do well.

Do not rush to remove everything. A trained arborist can help decide which trees to keep, prune or take down. Avoid people who go door to door after storms pushing quick removal or topping, which can harm the tree.

A tree with a single large, clean break may do well after pruning, while a tree with torn bark and splintered wood often struggles. When in doubt, wait a few weeks and ask for a professional opinion.

How do I clean up safely?

Wear proper protective gear, including a helmet, eye and ear protection, chaps and sturdy boots, and work with a partner. Never use a chainsaw above shoulder height or from a ladder. Rest often, because tired people make mistakes.

Cut only what you are trained to cut. Leave jobs involving tension, power lines or tall trees to professionals.

Ice-loaded trees and snow-laden branches are special cases. They can release without warning as the load shifts or melts, and the weight is far greater than it looks.

What about insurance and help?

Take photos of the damage before cleanup, and keep receipts. Contact your insurance company to ask what is covered. Coverage differs between policies, so read your own policy or ask your agent. Keep a written list of each damaged tree and what was done, since insurers and agencies may ask.

After major disasters, FEMA and state agencies may offer assistance. Check Ready.gov and your county emergency management office for current information.

What can I do with the wood?

Storm wood can become firewood, mulch, lumber or habitat piles. Some is best removed. Ask your state forestry agency whether any rules apply to moving wood in your area.

Avoid piling debris near buildings, and keep brush piles away from fences and wildfire-prone areas.

How do I help my woods recover?

Wait for the next season to see what survives. Remove hazards first, then look at replanting or natural regeneration. Watch for pests that target stressed trees, since weakened trees are easier prey.

Your extension office or state forestry agency can advise on recovery plans and may offer cost-share help after major storms.

Pest and disease problems tend to follow storm damage, as broken wood attracts borers and decay fungi. Prune torn branches cleanly and keep an eye on the tree over the next year. Walk your property in calm weather and look for trees near buildings, lines, roads and pens that already show defects. Deal with the worst before storm season, when arborists are busy and prices and risks are higher. Keep a basic kit ready, including a flashlight, gloves, a first aid kit, water and a way to charge a phone. Know where your shutoffs are and how to reach your utility. Ready.gov and your county emergency office have planning guidance that goes beyond trees.

• Remove dead limbs over buildings and driveways
• Keep trees clear of power lines with the utility's help
• Know your emergency contacts
• Check trees after every major storm

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.