How to Prevent Summer Storm Damage to Trees in Northeast Ohio

Here in Northeast Ohio, it’s not uncommon for summer storms to bring ominous clouds, 70mph winds, and torrential rain. But while your neighbors scramble to prepare, you’re watching calmly from your window – because you invested in summer storm damage prevention months ago. Now, you and your trees are ready.

With Ohio predicted to experience above-normal temperatures and a thunder-filled summer ahead, the question isn’t whether severe weather will strike – it’s whether your trees will be prepared when it does. Preventing summer storm damage comes down to being proactive and intentional with your tree care.

Key Takeaways

• Summer storms create unique challenges with saturated soil and full canopies that make trees more vulnerable to damage than during winter weather events.
• Annual professional tree inspections can identify many potential storm hazards before they become dangerous emergencies.
• The best way to prevent summer storm damage is to be proactive – identifying and removing hazards early protects your property and safety while helping you avoid costly emergency services.
• Regular monitoring for signs of diseases or pests, strategic and professional pruning, installing structural support, maintaining healthy soil and growing conditions, and knowing when a tree must be removed are all ways to prevent as much storm damage as possible.

Why Northeast Ohio Trees Are Vulnerable to Summer Storm Damage

Northeast Ohio sits in nature’s crosshairs when it comes to severe summer weather. Our location in the Great Lakes region creates a perfect storm of conditions: warm, humid air masses from the south collide with cooler air from Lake Erie, spawning the intense thunderstorms that can pack winds exceeding eighty miles per hour in a matter of minutes.

We saw this firsthand last summer when an intense derecho tore through the region with very little warning. Hundreds of thousands of residents lost power, and with toppled trees and downed power lines scattered across counties, Northeast Ohio was in a state of chaos for days.

Common Tree Vulnerabilities in Our Area

It’s not just the dramatic storms that threaten our trees; there are also a variety of factors that can cause tree failure:

• Climate Change/Weather Patterns: Northeast Ohio has seen a lot of intense rain during spring and summer the last few seasons, oversaturating the soil and causing issues when winds strengthen.
• Age: As trees age, they become more vulnerable to developing structural issues, while lacking the deep, stabilizing root systems needed to weather intense storms.
• Clay Soil: The soil in Northeast Ohio is very clay-heavy, which makes it rather difficult for trees to establish a stable root system.
• Urban Development: Any construction near trees can have an impact on root health and stability – especially projects close to the root zone like sidewalks, driveways, paths, etc.
• Pests and Diseases: Pests, like the emerald ash borer, are common throughout our Northeast Ohio community and can be deadly to the trees they target.

Summer Storm Damage: Why Trees Are at Greater Risk Than in Winter

Summer storms bring a unique combination of challenges that make them particularly dangerous for trees compared to winter weather events. While ice storms and blizzards certainly pose risks, the intense rainfall and sustained winds characteristic of summer thunderstorms create ideal conditions for tree failure.

The key difference lies in timing and soil conditions. Summer storm damage prevention is critical because these storms strike when trees are in their green, growing, glory – creating maximum wind resistance – while simultaneously saturating the soil that anchors them. Here’s what makes summer storms especially treacherous:

• Torrential Rainfall: Summer thunderstorms can easily dump two to four inches of rain in just a few hours. Winter precipitation usually accumulates gradually over several days and even in the case of blizzards, snow doesn’t have the same force of impact as a downpour.
• Soil Saturation and Instability: Excessive rain causes roots to become oversaturated, which affects two key functions: the ability to effectively absorb vital nutrients as well as maintain a sturdy foundation in the soil.
• Wind-Induced Leaning: Strong winds push against full summer canopies and cause trees to lean and stretch their root systems beyond the breaking point – especially in waterlogged, unstable soil.
• Erosion Around Root Zone: The combination of heavy downpours and intense wind washes away the protective soil around a tree’s base, exposing and weakening the root structure that keeps trees standing strong and tall.
• Rapid Onset: Unlike most winter storms that tend to develop and build slowly, summer derechos, severe thunderstorms, and microbursts (a strong localized downdraft that accompanies a thunderstorm) can generate high-speed, gale-force winds with very little warning. This makes it impossible for trees to gradually adapt to changing conditions.

6 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Summer Storm Damage to Trees

Fortunately, most storm-related tree failures are preventable with the right approach. Effective summer storm damage prevention doesn’t require luck – it requires strategy. By addressing your trees’ vulnerabilities before severe weather strikes, you can dramatically reduce the risk of costly property damage and keep your family safe.

1. Schedule and Maintain Annual Inspections by Certified Arborists

Arborists recommend performing tree assessments every three years, but prompt inspection after droughts or heavy storms can reduce hassle exceptionally. Our team receives Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) training, so we notice everything from structural weaknesses and root problems to evidence of pests or diseases that aren’t visible to untrained eyes.

Professional evaluations also provide you with written reports that act as risk assessment documentation. Having a record of your tree’s health and history can be invaluable for insurance coverage purposes and help you prioritize which trees need immediate attention and which can wait.

2. Have Your Trees Strategically (and Professionally) Pruned for Wind Resistance

Not only does regular pruning help to maintain the structural integrity of your tree and promote healthy growth, it also removes potentially hazardous limbs that could become a threat in the right conditions. There are a handful of pruning techniques that can be an effective method of summer storm damage prevention:

• Deadwood Removal: Dead limbs and branches pose significant risk to people, property, and the tree itself. Anything dead or dying can fall unexpectedly, especially during storms or high winds. These branches should be removed immediately, regardless of season.
• Crown Thinning: Selective limb removal allows wind to more effectively flow through the canopy rather than against it – thus reducing the sail effect that can topple trees.
• Weight Reduction: Shortening heavy limbs reduces stress on branch attachments and prevents failure during high winds.
• Structural Correction: Addressing co-dominant stems, crossing branches, and weak attachments before they become hazards gives your tree more of a fighting chance when the weather turns inclement.

3. Be Mindful of Soil Care and Root Protection

Having healthy soil is foundational when it comes to holistic tree care. To keep the roots as happy and healthy as possible, monitoring the composition and condition of the soil is extremely important:

• Apply Mulch: Apply two to three inches of organic mulch in the shape of a donut around the tree trunk, ensuring it never touches the bark. Mulch helps to prevent erosion, retain moisture, and even protect surface roots from damage.
• Improve Any Drainage Issues: If you’re noticing standing water near your trees, it’s important to investigate and address it quickly as poor drainage can compromise overall root health and structural stability.
• Protect the Root Zone: Know where the critical root zones are and avoid soil compaction from construction equipment, vehicles, and foot traffic.

4. Consider Structural Support Systems

Professional cabling and bracing solutions can stabilize vulnerable limbs and trunks and provide trees with a little extra support to help them withstand severe weather:

• Cabling: By strategically installing steel cables between major limbs, the tree’s weight is more evenly distributed and less prone to splitting during high winds.
• Bracing: For trees with structural defects or weak points that require internal support, rigid steel rods or bolts can prevent any further splitting and extend life.

Keep in mind, like so many other aspects of tree care, installing external support is significantly more effective when done proactively before problems develop.

5. Monitor for Pests and Diseases

Regularly check your trees for any signs of disease or pest infestations that can weaken them and make them more prone to falling over in periods of intense wind. If you do notice anything, consult with tree health care specialists for appropriate treatment options that prioritize organic and eco-friendly solutions.

6. Have Dangerous (or Potentially Dangerous) Trees Removed

Sometimes the best summer storm damage prevention strategy is removing trees that pose unacceptable risks:

• Severely Compromised Trees: Any tree(s) with extensive decay, major structural damage, or overall poor health that can’t be effectively restored should be removed from your property – ideally before storm season begins.
• High-Risk Locations: Similarly, for trees positioned where failure would cause significant property damage or endanger people, the safest solution is to have it removed.
• Species-Specific Concerns: Consider removing invasive or particularly storm-vulnerable species in favor of more resilient alternatives.

All in all, when it comes to summer storm damage prevention, remember that it is not a one-time effort or a one-size-fits-all approach. Storm preparation is an ongoing relationship with your landscape that pays dividends every time severe weather threatens Northeast Ohio.

Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Storm Damage Prevention

How often should I have my trees inspected for storm damage risk?

Arborists recommend tree assessments every three years for mature trees, with additional inspections after severe weather events. In Northeast Ohio’s variable climate, annual inspections provide optimal protection.

Can I prevent all storm damage to my trees?

While no tree can be made completely “storm-proof,” proper maintenance can greatly reduce failure risk. The goal is risk mitigation, not elimination.

What’s the best time to prune trees for storm prevention?

Late winter to early spring is optimal for most species in Northeast Ohio, before the growing season begins and storm activity increases.

However, summer pruning is important when branches and leaves start touching nearby structures and/or utility lines. When a tree becomes a safety hazard, it doesn’t matter what time of year it is; the best course of action is to professionally remove the problematic parts.

Do you work with insurance companies after storm damage?

Yes, Independent Tree can provide documentation and assessments needed for insurance claims, and we understand the requirements for covered vs. non-covered tree work.

To get a better idea of the events your specific insurance does and does not cover, take a look at your policy. For instance, if a tree was blown over in your yard and did not cause notable damage to a structure, there is a high chance its removal service would be an out-of-pocket expense.

Protect Your Northeast Ohio Trees from Summer Storm Damage with Help from Independent Tree

The influx of summer storms may not be preventable, but your trees don’t have to pay the price. The key to effective summer storm damage prevention lies in taking action before the weather alerts begin.

Don’t wait for the next derecho to test your trees’ limits. Call 440-564-1374 and schedule your professional tree risk assessment with Independent Tree’s team of Certified Arborists today to discover which of your trees need attention before peak storm season begins.