Walk the property
Look at every tree near the house, the driveway and the play areas. Check for dead limbs, cracks, lean and loose bark. Take photos so you can see changes.
Remove deadwood
Dead limbs are the first to go. A deadwood removal visit before storm season is one of the most effective things you can do.
Thin and clear
Careful thinning lets wind pass through the crown. Clearance pruning keeps branches off the roof. Avoid heavy thinning right before a storm.
Support weak trees
Cabling and bracing can help valuable trees with weak unions. Removal may be the safer choice for the highest-risk trees.
Protect the roots
Healthy roots anchor a tree. Mulch, avoid soil changes and water during droughts. Trees stressed by compaction or construction fail more often.
Make a plan
Know whom to call for an emergency, keep your insurance information handy and know where utility shutoffs are. After a storm, stay away from downed lines.
Fix the hazards you can find now, and have a number to call before you need it.
