Maryland's storm season brings derecho winds, thunderstorm cells, and occasional ice storms that break limbs and topple trees. Most tree failures are preventable with the right preparation — done before the storm, not after.
Step 1: Get a Pre-Season Inspection
Have an ISA-certified arborist walk your property before summer storm season (ideally in April or May). A trained eye identifies structural defects, dead wood, co-dominant stems, and root problems that aren't visible to a homeowner — and that will become failures in a 60mph wind event.
Step 2: Remove Dead and Hanging Branches
Deadwood is the leading cause of storm-related property damage. Dead branches over 2 inches in diameter that overhang a structure, driveway, or play area should be removed before storm season begins. They will come down in a storm regardless — better to bring them down on your schedule.
Crowded canopies with dense branch structure catch more wind. Crown thinning reduces wind load and can significantly reduce the chance of branch failure or whole-tree failure in high winds.
Step 3: Cable High-Risk Trees
Trees with co-dominant stems or large horizontal limbs over structures are candidates for supplemental cabling. Cabling doesn't eliminate risk, but it substantially reduces the chance of catastrophic failure.
Step 4: Know Your Trees
Some species are more failure-prone than others. Silver maple, Bradford pear, and tree-of-heaven are notorious for storm failures. White oak and native species generally perform better in high winds. Understanding what you have helps prioritize attention.