A tree doesn’t have to fall over to be damaged by a storm.
After a strong summer storm, it’s easy to look around your Gainesville property and feel relieved when everything is still standing. But some of the most important damage isn’t obvious from the ground. A tree can have a cracked limb, damaged roots, or a weakened trunk and still look perfectly normal from a distance.
September is a good time to take a closer look.
Florida’s summer storms can put a lot of stress on trees. Wind moves branches in ways they aren’t used to moving, heavy rain can saturate the soil, and lightning can cause damage that isn’t always visible right away.
Here are a few things to watch for after a storm.
Look for Changes in the Canopy
Start by looking at the tree from a distance.
Does one side look different than it did before the storm? Is a large branch hanging lower than usual? Are there gaps in the canopy that weren’t there before?
A damaged branch doesn’t always fall immediately. Sometimes it remains attached while becoming increasingly unstable.
If something looks different, it’s worth having someone take a closer look.
Check the Ground Around the Tree
Strong winds don’t just affect the part of the tree you can see.
A tree that has been pushed back and forth can experience movement around its root system. Look for soil that has lifted or cracked near the base, newly exposed roots, or a tree that appears to be leaning differently than it did before.
These signs are particularly important after heavy rain. Saturated soil can make it easier for a weakened tree to shift.
Don’t Ignore Small Cracks
A large broken limb is easy to recognize. Smaller cracks are much easier to overlook.
Pay attention to splits where major branches meet the trunk. Also look for broken bark, hanging branches, and areas where the wood appears damaged.
Some cracks may be minor. Others can indicate a serious structural problem. The difference isn’t always something a homeowner can determine from the ground.
Lightning Damage Can Be Difficult to See
Lightning doesn’t always leave a dramatic mark on a tree.
Sometimes the damage is obvious. Other times, you may notice a strip of missing bark, a split in the trunk, or branches that begin declining afterward.
If you suspect a tree was struck, keep an eye on it even if it appears healthy immediately afterward. Delayed problems can develop as the tree responds to the injury.
Don’t Try to Fix Everything Yourself
After a storm, it’s tempting to grab a chainsaw and start cleaning things up.
That’s where a manageable problem can become a dangerous one.
A partially broken limb can be under a tremendous amount of tension. Cutting in the wrong place can cause it to move unexpectedly. Large branches can also be much heavier than they appear from the ground.
If a limb is hanging over your house, driveway, vehicle, or another area where people spend time, professional help is the safer option.
A Tree Still Standing Doesn’t Mean the Work Is Over
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make after a storm is assuming that no fallen trees means no tree damage.
Your trees don’t have to come down to need attention.
A professional inspection can identify structural problems and damaged limbs before they become a much bigger issue. In many cases, removing one compromised branch or correcting a structural problem is far easier than dealing with a tree after it fails.
Give Your Trees a Second Look This September
Gainesville homeowners spend plenty of time preparing for storms. It’s just as important to check the property afterward.
If your trees have been through months of heat, heavy rain, and strong summer storms, now is a good time to find out how they’re actually doing.
Shade Shifters provides professional tree trimming, pruning, removal, storm cleanup, and tree assessments throughout Gainesville and North Central Florida.
If something doesn’t look right, don’t wait for the next storm to find out. Give Shade Shifters a call and let us take a closer look.