The good news is that the risk can be significantly reduced with the right preparation. Sydney Tree Company has been providing professional arborist services across Sydney since 1999, and our team regularly inspects and prepares trees ahead of storm season for residential and commercial clients across the city.
Book a Pre-Storm Season Tree InspectionSydney Tree Company: qualified arborists. Sydney-wide. Free quotes. Call 0431 732 265. |
Why Storm Season Is the Critical Window
Trees are damaged by storms in two main ways: by direct wind loading on branches and crowns, and by the weight of water-saturated soil reducing root anchorage so that the whole tree leans or falls. Both risks are made worse by pre-existing conditions in the tree, which is why a proactive inspection before storm season arrives is far more effective than emergency call-outs after a tree has already partially failed.
The trees most likely to cause property damage or personal injury in a storm are those that already have one or more of the following conditions: significant deadwood in the crown, included bark in major crotch junctions, large limbs over structures, evidence of root damage or decay at the base, or a lean that was not present in previous seasons.
Pre-Storm Season Tree Inspection: What to Look For
Deadwood and dead branches
Dead branches cannot flex in wind the way healthy branches can. Instead they break, often close to the attachment point, and fall with considerable force. Inspect all large trees on your property for branches that carry no leaves during the growing season, branches with peeling bark or exposed dry wood, and branches that produce only a brittle snap (rather than a fibrous break) when tested.
Included bark
Included bark is found at the junction between two co-dominant stems (two main leaders growing at a narrow angle from each other). Rather than forming a strong, wood-to-wood union, the stems grow bark-to-bark, creating a weak junction that can fail suddenly under wind loading. Included bark junctions are one of the most common causes of major branch failure in Sydney storms.
Large limbs over structures
Any branch that overhangs your home, a neighbour’s property, a pool, driveway, or other structure is a potential liability if it fails. Sydney Tree Company assesses and removes branches of concern and where removal is not appropriate, structural pruning to reduce the weight and wind profile of overhanging limbs reduces risk without removing the tree entirely.
Root zone disturbance
Trees that have had soil compaction, excavation, or construction work near their root zone in recent years may have compromised root systems that reduce their stability in saturated soil conditions. A tree that appears healthy above ground may be poorly anchored due to root damage that is not visible without assessment.
The tree’s overall lean
A gradual or sudden change in the lean of a tree, particularly when accompanied by soil heaving at the base on the opposite side to the lean, is a serious warning sign of root failure. Any tree that appears to be leaning in a new direction or at a greater angle than previously observed should be assessed by a qualified arborist before storm season.
Storm Season Preparation Steps
- Schedule a professional arborist inspection before October each year
- Request removal or pruning of any dead, diseased, or structurally compromised branches identified
- Check whether any trees are subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or council controls before undertaking any pruning or removal
- Clear any objects under tree canopies that could become projectiles if a branch falls
- Identify which trees present risk to structures and neighbours, and prioritise inspection of those first
- After a storm, do not approach a tree that has partially fallen or has branches caught in other trees: contact a qualified arborist before attempting any clearance
After the Storm: What to Do
Even well-maintained trees can suffer storm damage. After a severe storm:
- Do not approach any tree that is leaning against a building or fence until it has been assessed as safe by a qualified arborist
- Do not attempt to remove branches that are suspended or caught in other trees (known as widow-makers): these can fall unpredictably when disturbed
- Photograph the damage for insurance purposes before any clearance work begins
- Contact Sydney Tree Company for emergency assessment and clearance of storm-damaged trees
| ✦ Tree Preservation Orders and storm damage: In emergency situations involving immediate risk to life or property, you may be permitted to undertake necessary pruning or removal even if the tree is subject to a TPO. However, the definition of ’emergency’ is interpreted strictly, and notification to council is typically required. Contact Sydney Tree Company or your council to confirm the correct process before proceeding with any work on a protected tree. |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to prune trees before storm season in Sydney?
The period from August through to early October, before the first summer storms arrive and while trees are transitioning from winter dormancy into active spring growth, is an ideal time for pre-storm season pruning. This timing allows pruning wounds to begin compartmentalising during the spring growth period.
Are all large trees a storm risk?
No. A structurally sound, well-maintained large tree with no deadwood, no included bark junctions, and a well-anchored root system is significantly less likely to fail in a storm than a smaller but poorly structured or diseased tree. Tree size alone does not determine risk. Structural integrity, health, and the presence of specific defects are the key risk factors.
Does Sydney Tree Company handle emergency call-outs after storms?
Yes. Sydney Tree Company provides emergency tree removal and assessment services following storm events. Contact us on 0431 732 265 for urgent situations.