Deal quickly with cracked trunks, broken branches and unstable trees with emergency tree removal after storm damage. Acting quickly helps protect people, homes, vehicles, buildings and other structures from serious damage. After strong winds, heavy rain or storms, it is important to assess the situation carefully before taking the next step.
Storm damaged trees can be unpredictable. A tree may look safe from a distance, but hidden damage, weakened roots or hanging branches can still pose a serious risk. Knowing what signs to check for can help you decide whether professional tree care is required.
Signs That a Tree Poses an Immediate Danger
After a storm, assessing tree damage is essential for safety. Some trees may seem stable, but they could be at risk of falling. Clear signs of danger include large cracks in the trunk, severe leaning, exposed roots, damaged branches or movement around the base of the tree. If a tree is suddenly leaning towards a home, road, garden, footpath or vehicles, it could fall without warning.
Broken or hanging branches are also a major hazard, especially where people walk or where property could be damaged. If a tree is damaged near power lines, the risks are even greater. In these cases, emergency tree removal may be required to prevent injury, damage to property or further problems caused by weakened trees after a storm.
A professional tree surgeon can assess the site, explain the safest approach and decide whether the tree can be saved or whether removal is the safest option. This helps prevent unsafe work and reduces the risk of further damage.
Leaning or Uprooted Trees
A tree that is leaning significantly after a storm could be at risk of falling. High winds and saturated ground can cause the roots to become unstable, leading to partial or full uprooting. Even if the tree remains standing, a new or increased lean is often a sign of structural weakness.
Large cracks in the soil around the base of the tree can also show that the roots have shifted. If the tree’s balance has been affected, emergency removal may be necessary. This is especially important if the tree is close to buildings, vehicles, garden structures, roads or areas used by people.
A leaning or uprooted tree is one of the clearest signs that emergency tree removal is required. Trees depend on their roots for support, and when those roots are damaged or lifted from the ground, the whole tree can become unstable. The longer it is left, the greater the risk that it may fall.
In some cases, a tree surgeon may be able to save the tree with professional tree care, such as support work or careful pruning. However, in many cases, removing the tree is the safest step. If more storms, heavy rain or strong winds are expected, it is even more important to act quickly.
Cracked or Split Trunks
Cracked or split trunks can be a serious sign of storm damage. Strong winds and heavy rain can place pressure on the trunk, causing it to crack, split or twist. If the crack runs deep into the main trunk, the tree may no longer have enough strength to remain safe.
Small cracks may not always mean removal is needed, but large cracks, open splits or signs that the trunk is separating should be treated as urgent. A cracked trunk can make the tree unstable, and it may fall during the next storm or even in calm weather if the internal damage is severe.
Decay around the damaged area can make the risk even higher. If the trunk is soft, hollow, split near the base or showing signs of rot, a professional tree surgeon should assess it as soon as possible. Attempting to remove or cut a cracked tree without the right equipment can be dangerous.
Broken or Hanging Branches
Broken or hanging branches are common after storm damage. A branch may still be attached to the tree, but if it is cracked, loose or hanging over a path, road, garden or building, it can fall at any time. Large hanging branches are especially dangerous because their weight can cause serious damage if they fall.
Removing damaged branches quickly is important for safety. It also helps prevent further damage to the tree. Broken branches can leave open wounds where decay, pests and disease may enter. Over time, this can weaken the tree and increase the chance of more branches falling.
A professional tree surgeon can check whether damaged branches can be safely removed or whether the whole tree has become unsafe. In some cases, careful pruning is enough. In other cases, full tree removal may be required if the storm damaged tree is too unstable.
Tree Damage Near Power Lines
Trees that have been damaged near power lines present a serious safety risk. If branches or a fallen tree have touched power lines, there may be a risk of electric shock, fire or power cuts. Even if the tree has not touched the lines, strong winds could push damaged branches into them.
Never attempt to remove a tree or branches near power lines yourself. Do not touch the tree, branches, ropes, equipment, fences or anything else that may be in contact with the lines. Keep a safe distance and contact emergency services or the local utility company where required.
Once the power line risk has been made safe, emergency tree removal services can assess the tree and carry out the work safely. This type of work should only be performed by trained professionals with the correct equipment.
Fallen Trees Blocking Access
A fallen tree can quickly create a dangerous situation, especially if it blocks a road, driveway, garden entrance or access to a home. It may also trap vehicles, damage walls, fences or buildings, or stop emergency services from reaching the property.
Even when a fallen tree is on the ground, it can still be unsafe. Branches, trunks and roots may be under pressure, and cutting them in the wrong place can cause sudden movement. Large sections of wood can roll, split or shift without warning.
Professional tree removal helps clear the area safely. A trained team can assess the site, remove debris and prevent further damage. This is often the safest way to deal with fallen trees after storms.
Hidden Damage After a Storm
Not all tree damage is easy to see. A tree may still be standing, but the storm may have weakened its branches, trunk or roots. Signs such as fresh cracks, loose bark, lifted soil, broken roots, leaning branches or movement around the base should not be ignored.
Hidden damage can become more dangerous over time. A tree that survives one storm may fall during the next one if its structure has already been weakened. This is why a professional assessment is important after serious storm damage, especially if the tree is close to homes, buildings, vehicles or areas where people pass.
A quick check by a tree care professional can help identify risks before they become emergencies. It can also save healthy trees by showing which branches need to be removed and which parts of the tree are still safe.
Why You Should Not Attempt Emergency Tree Removal Yourself
Emergency tree removal can be dangerous, especially after high winds or heavy rain. Damaged trees may be unstable, branches may be under tension, and the ground may be soft or unsafe. Without the right training, ropes, equipment and approach, removing a tree can put people and property at risk.
Large trees, cracked trunks, hanging branches and fallen trees near buildings should always be handled by a professional tree surgeon. A trained team can assess the risks, plan the work and remove the tree or branches safely.
Trying to save time by removing a storm damaged tree yourself can lead to serious injury or further damage. It is safer to wait at a safe distance and contact a professional tree removal service.
What To Do After Storm Damage
After a storm, the first step is to check the area from a safe distance. Look for fallen trees, cracked trunks, hanging branches, leaning trees, damaged roots and branches near power lines. Keep people, pets and vehicles away from the affected area until it has been assessed.
Take photos if it is safe to do so, as this may help when sharing information with a tree surgeon or insurance provider. Do not stand under damaged branches, do not touch fallen power lines, and do not attempt to move large debris yourself.
If there is an immediate danger to people, homes, buildings, roads or power lines, contact emergency services where needed. For urgent tree damage, contact us today to arrange professional tree care and emergency tree removal.
When Emergency Tree Removal Is Required
Emergency tree removal is usually required when a tree poses a clear and serious risk. This includes unstable trees, storm damaged trees leaning towards property, large hanging branches, cracked trunks, fallen trees blocking access, and trees damaged near power lines.
In less serious cases, the tree may not need to be removed. A tree surgeon may be able to prune damaged branches, clear debris, support the tree or monitor it over time. However, if the tree is unstable or likely to fall, removal is often the safest choice.
The most important thing is to act quickly and get professional advice. A fast response helps prevent further damage and keeps the site safe.
Do you Require Emergency Tree Removal?
If you are dealing with storm damage, damaged trees, hanging branches or a fallen tree, contact us for help. Our team can assess the situation, explain the safest steps and carry out emergency tree removal where required.
Call us today if a tree is leaning, cracked, unstable, blocking access or posing a risk to people, property, vehicles, buildings or power lines. Professional tree surgeons can remove dangerous trees safely, clear debris and help make your garden, home or site safe again.
At Tom Harnden Professional Tree Surgeons, you'll find a whole host of tree surgery-related services to help preserve your outdoor spaces and keep them in the best possible condition. Give our talented arborist a call today!
