After the Storm Has Passed

There is something bracing about a proper British storm — the wind tearing at the gutters, the bins going over, the dog refusing to go out. But once the worst has passed and the rain eases, many of us step into the garden to survey the damage. For most shrubs and borders, the recovery is straightforward. Trees are a different matter. A mature tree carries enormous weight in its limbs and canopy, and storm damage can leave it quietly dangerous long after the wind has dropped. Knowing what to look for, and when to stop and call a tree surgeon, is one of the most valuable bits of knowledge any garden or woodland owner can have.

The first rule is simple: assess from a distance before you assess up close. Standing under a damaged tree is not the moment for curiosity. Look at the whole tree — the lean, the shape, the soil around the base — before you take a single step closer.

Splits and Cracked Unions

One of the most common forms of storm damage is a split at a fork or union, where two main limbs meet. Wind pushes limbs in opposite directions, and the wood fibres can tear under the strain. Sometimes the crack is obvious — a dark fissure running down the bark, sap weeping from the wound, or a limb visibly sitting at an odd angle. Other times it is subtle, and you may only spot it by looking up from underneath or from the side.

Be wary of any limb that has moved but not yet fallen. A partially detached branch can be held in place by little more than its own weight and a few fibres, and it may drop without warning — particularly after further rain softens the wood or a light breeze disturbs it. If you can see daylight through a union, or hear creaking in still air, treat it as unstable.

• Look for dark, vertical cracks at the point where two limbs meet
• Check for bark that has rippled or lifted along the length of a branch
• Note any limb that has visibly dropped or twisted since the storm
• Watch for fresh resin or sap bleeding at a fork

Hanging Limbs and Snapped Branches

Hanging branches are the classic storm injury — often called widow-makers for good reason. A limb that has snapped but caught in the canopy above can weigh many tens of kilograms, and it can stay put for days or weeks before a change in wind or weight brings it down. Never try to pull a hanging limb free yourself, and never stand directly beneath one to inspect it.

Smaller snapped branches lower down are less dramatic but still worth handling carefully. If a branch is lodged in a shrub or against a fence, and you can reach it while standing clear of anything overhead, you can sometimes cut it back to a safe length and lower it. But if the cut involves a chainsaw above waist height, or a branch thicker than your forearm, that is a job for a professional with the right equipment, training and insurance.

Lifted Roots and a Changed Lean

Wind doesn't just break trees — it can also tip them. When a tree is pushed past what its root plate can hold, the roots on the windward side can tear and the whole root ball can lift. The signs are often visible at ground level. You may see a crescent-shaped mound of soil on one side of the trunk, fresh cracks in the turf, or a gap where the trunk meets the ground. A tree that has gained even a few degrees of lean following a storm should be treated as compromised.

This is the point at which a tree surgeon's assessment really matters. A leaning tree with a lifted root plate may look as though it has settled, but the roots cannot reattach. It may stand for years, or it may fail in the next gale. Only a professional with experience in arboriculture can judge whether the tree can be reduced and retained, or whether it needs to come down.

• Look for a raised mound of soil or turf beside the trunk
• Check for fresh cracks in the ground around the root zone
• Compare the current lean with any photos you have of the tree
• Feel the soil — soft, saturated ground makes failure more likely

When to Keep Well Clear

Some situations are simply not for the homeowner, no matter how handy you are. Stay well back, keep children and pets indoors, and call a tree surgeon if any of the following apply. These are the cases where the risk to life and property outweighs any saving you might make by doing it yourself.

• The tree is leaning towards a road, footpath, house or power line
• A large limb is hanging or lodged above head height
• The trunk is split, hollow, or visibly cracked
• Roots have lifted or the ground around the base has heaved
• The tree is touching or near overhead cables — always report this to the network operator first
• The tree is simply too large to fell safely with the equipment you own

It is also worth remembering that some trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders, or sit within a conservation area. Even when a tree is dangerous, you may need permission before work is carried out — though in a genuine emergency, safety comes first and the paperwork can follow.

Documenting Damage and Getting the Right Help

Before you call anyone, take a few photographs from a safe distance. Photographs of the whole tree, the damage, and its position relative to buildings or roads help a tree surgeon understand the job before they arrive, and they are useful for any insurance claim. Note the date, the weather conditions and anything you have observed about the tree's condition over recent years.

When you ring around, ask about qualifications and insurance. Look for a contractor who holds relevant arboricultural certification, carries public liability cover, and can provide a written risk assessment and quotation. A good tree surgeon will want to see the tree in person before giving a firm price, and will explain what they plan to do and why.

Storm damage is unsettling, but it is also a prompt to look at your trees with fresh eyes. The trees that weather our winds best are those that have been maintained — pruned sensibly, inspected regularly, and given space to grow into strong, well-balanced shapes. If this storm has caught you out, it is a good moment to book a general survey of the rest of your garden or woodland. A little professional attention now can save a great deal of trouble when the next gale arrives.