Is Your Property Ready for Storm Season?
Spring in Tennessee is one of the most beautiful times of year — but it also brings some of the most unpredictable weather in the country. Severe thunderstorms, high winds, and the occasional tornado can turn a neglected tree into a serious hazard for your home, vehicles, and family. At Mid TN Tree Service, we want every property owner in the region to feel confident heading into storm season. Here’s what you should know about getting your trees spring-ready.
Start with a Visual Inspection
Before the storms roll in, take a walk around your property and give your trees a close look. You’re searching for anything that looks “off” — large cracks running through the trunk or major limbs, branches that appear dead or brittle, leaning that wasn’t there last year, or any signs of fungal growth like mushrooms at the base of the tree. These are red flags that a tree may be structurally compromised and at higher risk of failure during high winds or heavy rain.
Don’t forget to look up. Hangers — broken branches that are dangling in the canopy but haven’t fallen yet — are among the most common causes of storm-related property damage. They can drop without warning, and spring wind events are exactly the kind of trigger that sends them to the ground.
Prune Before the Growing Season Peaks
Late winter through early spring is actually the ideal window for pruning most tree species. Trees are still dormant or just waking up, which means pruning wounds close faster, disease and insect activity is lower, and you can see the branch structure clearly before the leaves fill in.
Focus pruning efforts on:
- Dead or dying branches — these snap first in a storm
- Crossed or rubbing limbs — they create wounds over time that invite decay
- Branches hanging over your roof, driveway, or power lines — these are your highest-priority risk areas
- Interior congestion — thinning the canopy allows wind to pass through rather than push against it like a sail
Avoid the temptation to top your trees. Topping creates weak, fast-growing sprouts that are far more susceptible to storm damage than the natural branching they replace.
Check the Root Zone
A tree can look perfectly healthy above ground while quietly failing below it. Pay attention to soil heaving near the base, exposed roots that have been damaged by mowing, or soft, spongy areas in the soil — these can all signal root rot or structural instability.
Try to keep lawn equipment away from the base of your trees and avoid piling soil or mulch directly against the trunk, which traps moisture and encourages decay.
Know When to Call a Pro
Some maintenance — raking debris, light mulching, watering during dry spells — is well within the reach of any homeowner. But climbing, removing large limbs, or assessing a tree that leans toward a structure? That’s when you want a certified professional on the job.
At Mid TN Tree Service, we serve property owners across Tennessee with expert tree trimming, removal, storm preparation, and hazard assessments. If you’re not sure whether a tree on your property is ready for what this spring may bring, give us a call. We’d rather help you prevent a problem than clean up after one.
Contact Mid TN Tree Service today to schedule your spring tree inspection.
