How to Prepare Your Garden Trees for Autumn and Winter Storms

Every autumn and winter, storms sweep across Lincolnshire. The flat, open countryside of the county means there is often little to slow the wind down, and trees in gardens, field edges and village lanes take the full force of it. Most healthy trees ride out bad weather without a problem. The ones that fail are usually trees with hidden weaknesses that could have been spotted and dealt with months earlier.

The good news is that a little preparation goes a long way. This guide explains how to check your trees before storm season, the simple jobs that reduce risk, what to do safely after a storm, and where responsibility lies if a tree comes down.

Why Trees Fail in Storms

Trees are remarkably good at coping with wind. They bend, their leaves fold and their roots anchor them firmly in the soil. Problems happen when something upsets that balance.

Decay. Internal rot weakens the trunk or major limbs, often without much sign from the outside.

Root damage. Roots cut during building work, trenching or driveway laying can leave a tree poorly anchored for years afterwards.

Waterlogged ground. After long periods of rain, soil softens and roots lose their grip. A strong gust on saturated ground can push over a tree that would have stood firm in summer.

Weak branch unions. Some trees develop two or more main stems that grow tightly together, trapping bark between them. These joins are naturally weaker and more likely to split.

A heavy or unbalanced crown. A tree that has grown lopsided, or that carries a large, dense canopy, catches more wind and puts extra strain on its structure.

Previous bad pruning. Trees that have been topped or poorly cut often produce weakly attached regrowth that snaps easily in high winds.

Your Pre Storm Tree Check

Early autumn, before the worst weather arrives, is the ideal time to walk around your property and look carefully at each tree. You do not need any special equipment. Stand back and look at the whole tree first, then move closer.

1. Look up into the crown. Are there dead branches, hanging limbs or broken stubs from previous storms?
2. Check where branches join the trunk. Look for cracks, splits or signs of movement.
3. Walk around the base. Watch for mushrooms, bracket fungi, cavities, oozing sap or loose bark.
4. Look at the ground. Cracked or raised soil on one side of the tree can mean the roots are starting to lift.
5. Consider what is underneath. A weak branch over an empty field is a low priority. The same branch over a conservatory, parked car, footpath or children's play area is a very different matter.
6. Check near cables. Branches growing close to overhead power or telephone lines should never be tackled yourself.

Take photos as you go. They help a professional understand the problem, and they give you a record of the condition of your trees over time.

Practical Jobs That Reduce Storm Risk

If your check turns up concerns, there is usually a way to reduce the risk without losing the tree altogether.

Deadwood removal. Taking out dead and dying branches removes the parts of the tree most likely to fall first.

Crown reduction. Carefully reducing the height and spread of the canopy lowers the amount of wind the tree catches and eases the load on its limbs.

Crown thinning. Removing a proportion of smaller inner branches allows wind to pass through the canopy more easily.

Cutting back from buildings. Pruning branches that rub against roofs, gutters or walls prevents damage when the wind picks up.

Removal where necessary. If a tree is dead, badly decayed or structurally unsound close to a building or road, removing it before winter is often the safest option.

This kind of work involves climbing, rigging and chainsaws at height, so it should always be carried out by a qualified and insured tree surgeon. Before any work, check with your local council whether the tree is covered by a Tree Preservation Order or sits within a conservation area, as both can require permission or advance notice.

What to Do After a Storm

Once the wind has dropped, it is natural to want to get outside and start clearing up. Take a moment to stay safe first.

Stay well away from fallen or damaged power lines. Assume any line is live. In the UK you can call 105, the free national number, to report damage to the electricity network.

Do not stand under hanging branches. Partly broken limbs, sometimes called hangers, can fall without warning, even hours or days after a storm.

Keep children and pets away from fallen trees and debris until the area has been made safe.

Report trees blocking public roads or footpaths to North Lincolnshire Council rather than trying to move them yourself.

Photograph any damage to your property before clearing anything. Your home insurer is likely to want evidence if you make a claim.

Leave the chainsaw work to professionals. Storm damaged timber is under unpredictable tension. A fallen trunk or snapped branch can spring back violently when cut, which is one of the reasons storm clearance causes so many serious injuries every year.

Who Is Responsible When a Tree Falls?

As a general rule, the owner of the land a tree grows on is responsible for it. If a healthy tree is brought down by an exceptional storm, that is usually treated as an unavoidable event. However, if a tree had obvious signs of decay or damage that the owner knew about, or reasonably should have noticed, and it then falls and causes damage, the owner may be held liable.

That is one of the strongest reasons to carry out regular checks and keep a record of any work done. Insurance policies also vary in how they deal with tree damage and whether they cover removing a fallen tree, so it is worth reading the terms of your home insurance before winter rather than after a storm. If you are unsure, speak to your insurer directly.

Making Good Use of Fallen Timber

A tree lost in a storm still has value. Smaller branches can be chipped into mulch for garden borders and pathways. Sound trunk wood can be cut and split into logs for a wood burning stove, although freshly cut wood holds a lot of moisture and needs time to season properly before it will burn cleanly. In England, firewood sold in smaller quantities must meet moisture rules, so if you buy logs rather than season your own, look for the Ready to Burn label.

Getting Help Locally

For households and landowners in Hibaldstow, Brigg and across North Lincolnshire, TSR Tree Services Ltd offers practical help before and after storm season. With over twenty years of experience and a conservation first approach, the team can assess trees, carry out pruning or removal where needed, and handle stump removal, chipping and waste disposal. You can see their full range of tree surgery and removal services on their website.

Final Thoughts

Storms are a normal part of a Lincolnshire winter, but falling trees do not have to be. A careful look at your trees in early autumn, some sensible pruning and a safe approach to clearing up afterwards will protect your home, your family and the trees that make your garden special.