Central Virginia storm season can be unpredictable. One week might bring heavy summer thunderstorms, and the next could feature tropical rain, saturated soil, and strong wind from a larger weather system. When trees are healthy and structurally sound, they usually handle seasonal weather well (after all, trees have been around for a lot longer than people!). But when a tree already has hidden decay, weak limbs, root problems, or storm damage from previous years, hurricane and thunderstorm season can reveal those problems the hard way.
So, how can you tell if a tree is at risk before the next big storm?
You don’t have to diagnose every detail yourself. That is what professional arborists are for. But there are warning signs homeowners can look for before hurricane season, thunderstorm season, or any stretch of severe weather in Central Virginia.
Start Here: What Could the Tree Hit if it Falls?
Even healthy trees can be risky. Tree risk depends on both the condition of the tree and what is nearby.
A declining tree in the middle of a wooded area may not pose the same concern as a similar tree leaning over a house, driveway, fence, garage, or play area. Before storm season, look at each large tree on your property and ask:
- Is it close to the house?
- Are large limbs over the roof?
- Could it hit a vehicle, shed, deck, fence, or neighbor’s property?
- Are people regularly walking, parking, or playing underneath it?
- Is it near utility lines?
The more important the target, the more seriously you should take the tree’s condition.
Warning Sign 1: Dead Limbs or Hanging Branches
Deadwood is one of the most obvious signs that a tree may create problems during hurricane or thunderstorm season. Dead branches are more likely to snap under wind, rain, or the weight of saturated foliage.
Look for:
- Branches with no leaves while the rest of the tree is full
- Brittle limbs with peeling bark
- Broken branches stuck in the canopy
- Large limbs hanging over roofs, driveways, or walkways
A few small dead branches may be normal. Large dead limbs over your home are different. Those should be evaluated and, in many cases, pruned before storm season intensifies.
Warning Sign 2: Cracks, Cavities, or Splitting
A tree can look green and alive while having serious structural defects. Trunk cracks, open cavities, and splitting unions can all reduce a tree’s ability to withstand high winds.
Pay close attention to:
- Long vertical cracks in the trunk
- Splits where two large stems meet
- Hollow areas or large cavities
- Old wounds that never closed properly
- Branches that appear to be peeling away from the main trunk
Weak branch unions are especially concerning when two large stems grow tightly together in a “V” shape. During strong wind, those unions may split apart.
Warning Sign 3: Mushrooms or Fungal Growth Near the Base
Mushrooms at the base of a tree should not be brushed off without a thought. While not every mushroom means immediate danger, fungal growth can be a sign of internal decay in the roots or lower trunk.
This is more concerning if you also notice:
- Thinning canopy
- Dead limbs
- Leaning
- Soft or crumbling wood
- Cracks near the base
- Soil movement around the roots
Decay near the base is an important factor because the lower trunk and root system are what keep the tree anchored. If that support is compromised, storms can become much more dangerous.
Warning Sign 4: A New or Worsening Lean
Some trees naturally grow at an angle and remain stable for decades. A new lean is different.
Call a tree care professional if you notice:
- A tree leaning more than it did before
- Soil lifting on one side of the trunk
- Exposed or broken root
- Cracks in the ground near the base
- A lean that developed after heavy rain or wind
Saturated soil is a major issue during hurricane and thunderstorm season. When the ground is soaked, weakened roots may not hold as well, especially if strong winds arrive before the soil dries out.
Warning Sign 5: Dense, Heavy, or Unbalanced Canopy Growth
A thick canopy can be a good thing, but heavy, unbalanced growth can increase stress during storms. Trees with long overextended limbs or dense interior growth may catch more wind and place extra strain on weak branch attachments.
Professional pruning can help by:
- Removing dead or weak branches
- Reducing weight on overextended limbs
- Improving clearance around the home
- Addressing rubbing or crossing branches
- Improving structure without topping the tree
This is not the same as topping, which damages trees and often creates weaker regrowth. Proper pruning is selective and focused on health, safety, and structure.
Warning Sign 6: Previous Storm Damage That Was Never Addressed
If a tree was damaged in a previous storm and never properly evaluated, it may still be carrying hidden risk. Broken limbs, torn bark, cracked branches, and partially failed stems can worsen over time.
A tree that made it through the last storm is not automatically safe for the next one. Sometimes the first storm weakens the tree, and the next one finishes the job.
This is especially important for trees near homes, outdoor living spaces, or commercial properties.
When Tree Removal May Be the Safest Option
Every risky tree should be assessed, but not all need to be removed. Sometimes pruning, monitoring, or reducing weight in the canopy is enough. Removal, however, may be the safest choice when a tree is dead, severely decayed, structurally compromised, or positioned where failure would likely cause serious damage.
Tree removal may be recommended if:
- The tree is dead or mostly dead
- The trunk has major cracks or cavities
- Root failure appears likely
- The tree is leaning toward a structure
- Storm damage has made the tree unstable
- Large limbs cannot be safely corrected with pruning
Why Schedule Professional Tree Risk Assessment Before Storm Season
Tree risk is not always obvious from the ground, or even at all to the average homeowner. A professional evaluation looks at the whole picture: tree condition, structure, root stability, targets, access, and the consequences if the tree should fall or a limb be dropped.
At Nunnally’s Tree Service, our ISA Certified Arborists and TRAQ-qualified professionals can help you understand whether a tree is safe to keep, needs pruning, or should be removed before hurricane or thunderstorm season.
The Virginia Department of Forestry also recommends getting trees checked by an ISA-certified arborist as part of storm preparation and tree resiliency planning.
Don’t Wait Until the Storm Is on the Radar
Once storms are in the forecast, tree companies get busy rather quickly. If you already know you have a questionable tree, the best time to deal with it is before hurricane or thunderstorm season ramps up.
Planning ahead gives you more scheduling flexibility, allows for safer working conditions, and allows you time to choose the right solution without risk of emergency pricing or dealing with storm damage. It also gives you peace of mind when severe weather is on the horizon.
If you are concerned about a tree on your property, let us take a look now.
