North Carolina’s storm season brings high winds, heavy rain, and the occasional ice event, all of which put real stress on the trees around your home. Most storm-related tree damage isn’t random. It happens to trees that already had a weakness, whether that’s a structural issue, poor pruning history, or root damage that went unnoticed. A little preparation before severe weather hits can mean the difference between a quick cleanup and a serious repair bill.
Here’s how to get your property ready before the next storm rolls through Winston-Salem.
Start with a Professional Inspection
Before storm season ramps up, it’s worth having a certified arborist walk your property and check for hidden risks. Our team offers free property inspections to identify hazards like cracked limbs, weak branch unions, or early signs of decay that aren’t obvious from the ground. Catching these issues early gives you time to address them before wind and rain turn a minor weakness into a falling limb.
Prune Back Overgrown or Weak Branches
Tree trimming and pruning does more than keep your yard looking sharp. Removing dead, overgrown, or crossing branches reduces the “sail effect” that lets wind catch a tree and put extra strain on its trunk and root system. Regular pruning also improves airflow through the canopy, which helps trees shed wind load more evenly instead of concentrating stress on a few weak points.
Pay special attention to branches hanging over your roof, driveway, or power lines. Even a moderate storm can turn an overhanging limb into a real problem.
Address High-Risk Trees Before the Storm, Not After
If an inspection turns up a tree with major cracks, a hollow trunk, a new lean, or fungus growing at the base, it’s best to deal with it before severe weather arrives rather than after. Our guide on signs a tree needs to be removed covers the warning signs in more detail, but the short version is this: a tree that’s already compromised is far more likely to fail in high winds, and it’s much safer and cheaper to remove it on a calm day than during or after a storm.
Clear Old Stumps Before They Become a Bigger Problem
Old stumps left in the yard can become a hidden hazard during storms, especially if they’re decaying and hold water, which attracts pests and can destabilize surrounding soil. Stump grinding clears them out completely, leaving your yard level and ready for new landscaping, without leftover roots that can cause issues down the line.
Know Who to Call When a Storm Hits
Even with the best preparation, severe storms can still bring down limbs or entire trees. When that happens, it’s important to have a plan:
- Stay well away from any downed tree or limb, especially if it’s near power lines.
- Don’t attempt to remove large limbs or trees yourself, particularly if they’re under tension or resting on structures.
- Call a professional emergency tree service right away.
Wake Tree Services provides 24/7 emergency tree removal throughout Winston-Salem, so help is available any time a storm causes damage, day or night.
A Simple Pre-Storm Season Checklist
- Schedule a professional tree inspection.
- Prune back dead, overgrown, or overhanging branches.
- Remove any tree flagged as high-risk.
- Grind down old stumps that could hold water or attract pests.
- Save our number for 24/7 emergency service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should trees be inspected before storm season? An annual inspection is a good baseline for most properties, though older trees, trees near your home, or trees with a history of damage may benefit from more frequent checks.
Can pruning really prevent storm damage? Yes. Reducing excess weight and improving airflow through the canopy helps a tree flex with the wind instead of resisting it, which lowers the chance of broken limbs or trunk failure.
What should I do immediately after a storm damages a tree? Keep a safe distance, especially from anything touching power lines, and call for a professional evaluation. We offer emergency tree removal around the clock for exactly these situations.
Are you available for emergencies outside of normal business hours? Yes. Our team provides 24/7 emergency tree removal for storm damage and other hazardous situations throughout Winston-Salem and the surrounding area.
Do you clean up debris after storm damage or removal work? Yes. Every job includes responsible debris removal, and we also offer stump grinding if a fallen or removed tree leaves a stump behind.
Is Wake Tree Services insured? Yes, we’re fully insured, so you can have confidence that both your property and our crew are protected during storm cleanup or any other project.
Don’t wait for the next storm to find out which trees are at risk. Request a free inspection and estimate from our team today.