Storm Damage Prep: Protecting Your Trees Before the Wind Hits

In the Bay Area, winter storms and surprise wind events can arrive quickly. Trees that look fine on a calm day can drop large limbs, uproot, or fail when soils are saturated and the wind really starts to push. The good news: a lot of storm damage is preventable with the right prep.

This guide walks you through practical steps you can take before the weather turns – from inspections and pruning to cabling, root protection, and post-storm safety. Use it alongside our guide on how to tell when a tree needs to be removed for a full picture of tree safety.

Quick checklist: pre-storm tree prep

Before the next big wind or heavy rain, try to complete as many of these as you can:

• Have large trees inspected for existing defects and hazards
• Remove dead, broken, or overextended limbs over targets (homes, driveways, play areas)
• Thin overly dense canopies where appropriate to reduce wind sail
• Check existing cables, braces, and stakes for damage or looseness
• Protect root zones from compaction and standing water
• Move vehicles, furniture, and equipment out from under large limbs
• Identify trees that may require emergency tree service if they worsen
• Save our phone number and take “before” photos for insurance if needed

1. Understand which trees are most at risk

Not every tree on your property faces the same level of storm risk. Focus first on trees that could hit people, buildings, vehicles, or power lines if they fail.

Pay special attention to:

• Large, mature trees close to your home, garage, or neighbor’s property
• Trees with a noticeable lean toward a target area
• Species known for brittle wood or weak branch attachments
• Trees growing in shallow soils, fill, or areas that stay wet

Creating a simple “target map” in your mind – or on paper – helps you prioritize which trees should be inspected or serviced first.

2. Inspect your trees for existing weaknesses

Storms usually don’t “create” problems – they expose problems that were already there. A quick visual inspection can reveal many of the issues that cause failures under wind load.

During a walkthrough, look for:

• Dead or hanging branches high in the canopy
• Cracks, cavities, or fungal growth on the trunk or major limbs
• Leaning trees or soil heaving around the base
• Large branches over roofs, driveways, patios, or play areas

If you find any of these issues, especially near high-value targets, schedule a professional evaluation. Some trees may be good candidates for corrective pruning or support systems; others may be better served by hazard tree removal.

3. Prune for strength, clearance, and airflow

Proper trimming & pruning before storm season can significantly reduce the chance of limb breakage and whole-tree failure. The goal is not to “top” or strip your trees, but to reduce stress points and improve structure.

In many cases, that means:

• Removing dead, dying, or diseased branches (“deadwood removal”)
• Reducing or redirecting heavy, overextended limbs with proper cuts
• Lightly thinning dense crowns where appropriate to let wind pass through – not aggressive topping, which often makes trees weaker
• Providing clearance over roofs, walkways, and driveways via crown reduction or raise crown techniques

All structural storm-prep pruning should follow industry standards and be done by trained climbers or bucket operators using proper safety gear.

4. Use cabling & bracing where it makes sense

Some trees are worth extra effort – mature shade trees, legacy trees, or those that anchor the look of your landscape. When these trees have structural weaknesses, strategic support systems can sometimes help them ride out storms more safely.

Common solutions include:

• Tree cabling to support co-dominant stems or long, heavy limbs
• Cabling & bracing combinations for trees with cracks or weak unions
• Staking and guying for young trees in exposed, windy locations

These systems must be designed and installed correctly to be effective. An arborist can tell you whether cabling is a good candidate or if removal is the safer long-term option.

5. Protect root zones from compaction and standing water

Strong roots are just as important as strong branches. When soils become compacted or waterlogged, trees are more likely to lean, uproot, or fail at the base during storms.

Before storm season, it helps to:

• Avoid parking vehicles or storing heavy equipment under tree canopies
• Redirect downspouts and drainage away from trunks where possible
• Maintain a wide mulch ring (not piled against the trunk) around key trees
• Keep trenches, grading, and new construction away from root zones

If you already see soil lifting, cracking, or exposed roots on one side of a tree, that’s a sign to call for emergency tree service before the next big wind.

6. Clear the “landing zone” around your trees

Even with good prep, no tree is 100% storm-proof. You can, however, reduce potential damage by adjusting what sits under and around your trees.

Whenever high winds are forecast:

• Move vehicles out from under large overhanging limbs
• Relocate patio furniture, grills, and play equipment away from tree canopies
• Secure lightweight items that could become airborne
• Close and lock gates so crews and emergency responders can access the property if needed

These simple steps can be done quickly and often make a big difference in the amount of damage a storm causes.

7. What to do 24–48 hours before a major storm

When you know a significant wind or rain event is on the way, a short pre-storm routine helps you feel prepared and catch last-minute issues.

Within a day or two of the forecast:

• Do a final walkthrough of your property at ground level
• Look for fresh cracks, leaning, or new hanging branches after recent weather
• Clear leaves and small debris from gutters and drains near trees
• Take a few photos of key trees and structures for your records
• Make sure you have our number saved for urgent situations

If anything looks significantly worse than it did earlier in the season, call right away. In some cases, we can perform urgent pruning or removal before the storm arrives.

8. After the storm: safety first

Once the storm passes, it’s tempting to go straight into cleanup mode. But damaged trees and hangers can behave unpredictably – especially when limbs are twisted, split, or under tension.

After a storm:

• Stay far away from any downed power lines and call the utility immediately
• Do not attempt to cut large, tensioned limbs yourself
• Photograph damage before moving anything, if it’s safe to do so
• Call for emergency tree service if a tree is on a structure, vehicle, or blocking access

We can help remove immediate hazards, coordinate with insurance as needed, and recommend follow-up work such as pruning, replanting, or ongoing maintenance plans.

Planning ahead makes every storm easier to handle

You can’t control the weather, but you can control how prepared your property is before the next big wind. A combination of regular inspections, smart pruning, and targeted support work will dramatically lower your risk of unexpected failures.

If you’d like a professional set of eyes on your trees before storm season, Bay Area Tree Care can help you create a practical plan – from one-time pre-storm pruning to ongoing maintenance and seasonal plans.