North Texas spring storms are a tree service's busiest season: high winds, hail, and saturated clay soil bring down limbs (and whole trees) across North Texas every year. The good news: a little prep work in fall and winter prevents a lot of storm damage. Our October storm-prep walkthrough covers the full yard-by-yard checklist.
1. Remove the deadwood before the wind does
Dead branches are the first thing to fail in high wind. They become projectiles aimed at your roof, fence, and cars. A dormant-season pruning pass that removes dead, cracked, and hanging limbs is the single highest-value storm prep you can do. It's also good value. Planned pruning tends to cost less than emergency work.
2. Reduce the sail, keep the tree
Dense canopies catch wind like a sail. Selective thinning, removing a portion of interior branches, lets wind pass through instead of pushing the whole tree over. This is skilled work, not topping: the tree's natural shape stays intact while its wind resistance drops.
3. Check for lean after heavy rain
Our clay soil holds water, and saturated soil grips roots poorly. After a week of heavy rain, walk your property and look for trees leaning further than usual, soil cracking or heaving near the base, or new gaps around the root flare. Catch it early and a removal can be planned; catch it late and it's an emergency.
4. Give young trees a fighting chance
Newly planted trees in subdivisions are among the most common storm casualties: shallow roots, no establishment time. Proper staking for the first year or two (not forever; the tree needs to develop its own strength), a wide mulch ring, and deep watering during drought all build the root system that holds the tree up in a storm.
5. Know what to do after the storm
Don't rush to cut. Hanging or partially attached limbs ("widowmakers") are the most dangerous thing in your yard after a storm. They can fall without warning. Keep people and pets away, don't try to pull them down yourself, and call for help: storm damage reports are prioritized by hazard level. And resist the urge to "top" a storm-damaged tree to make it shorter. Topping creates weak regrowth that's more likely to fail in the next storm.
Common Questions
When is storm season in North Texas?
The peak severe-weather window runs roughly March through June, with a secondary stretch in fall. High winds, hail, and tornadoes are all possible. Saturated spring soil makes uprooting more likely. Winter is the other half of the story: see our ice-storm tree protection guide before the freeze.
Should I trim my trees before storm season?
Yes. Late fall and winter is the ideal time. Removing deadwood and thinning dense canopies before March gives your trees the best chance of riding out spring storms.
What should I do if a tree falls on my house?
Stay out of the area, watch for downed power lines, and call for emergency cleanup. Document the damage with photos for your insurance claim before anything is moved.