How to Prepare Your Trees for Hurricane Season in Houston?
Why Tree Preparation Matters Before Hurricanes?
Every year, Houston experiences strong winds, heavy rain, and unpredictable storms during hurricane season. While homeowners often think about securing roofs, windows, and outdoor furniture, trees are sometimes overlooked. However, trees are one of the first things that can be affected by high winds.
A healthy, well-maintained tree can withstand strong weather, but a weak or unbalanced one can easily break or fall, causing serious damage to your property, power lines, and even nearby structures.
That’s why it’s so important to prepare your trees before hurricane season begins. In this guide, we’ll walk you through detailed steps and expert tips on how to protect your trees and your home from storm damage.
1. Start with a Tree Health Inspection
Before doing anything else, it’s wise to inspect your trees carefully or have a professional arborist check them for signs of weakness. A tree inspection helps you identify hidden risks such as structural problems, disease, or root issues.
You should look for:
- Dead or decaying branches
- Cracks or hollows in the trunk
- Leaning trees or exposed roots
- Pest infestation or fungal growth
Trees with these problems are more likely to fall or lose branches in heavy wind. Identifying them early allows you to address the issues before hurricane season peaks.
Tip: Schedule an inspection in spring or early summer. This gives you enough time for pruning, fertilizing, or removing any dangerous trees before storms arrive.
2. Prune Trees the Right Way
Pruning is one of the most effective ways to reduce storm damage. When trees are pruned properly, they can move naturally with the wind instead of breaking under pressure.
Focus on removing:
- Dead, diseased, or weak branches
- Branches that cross over each other
- Limbs growing too close to your roof, windows, or power lines
You should avoid cutting large parts of the tree at once or “topping” the tree (cutting off the upper portion). This weakens the structure and creates unstable new growth. Instead, gradual and strategic pruning keeps your tree balanced and strong.
Tip: Always use sharp, clean tools to prevent infections and make smooth cuts.
3. Check Root Health and Soil Stability
Tree roots are the foundation of strength. If the roots are weak, damaged, or growing in compacted soil, the entire tree becomes more likely to fall.
You can do a quick check by observing the soil around your trees:
- Do you see cracks or raised areas?
- Are there mushrooms or fungi near the base?
- Is the tree leaning or showing exposed roots?
These can be signs of root problems. To improve stability, loosen compacted soil, add organic mulch, and avoid overwatering. Deep watering helps roots grow stronger and reach deeper layers of soil, improving overall balance.
Tip: Keep mulch 2–3 inches deep and leave a small gap around the trunk to prevent rot.
4. Strengthen Trees with Proper Support
Young or newly planted trees are more vulnerable during hurricanes. Their roots haven’t yet anchored deeply, so they can easily tilt or break in strong winds.
You can protect them by:
- Staking them with flexible materials like soft ties or fabric straps
- Checking supports regularly to ensure they’re not too tight
- Allowing slight movement, which encourages stronger root growth
Avoid using wires or metal ties, as they can cut into the bark and cause long-term damage.
5. Thin the Canopy for Better Wind Flow
A thick tree canopy can act like a sail during high winds, catching air and increasing pressure on the branches. You can reduce this stress by thinning out the canopy and removing some inner branches so that wind can pass through.
However, be careful not to remove too much. Over-thinning can expose the trunk to direct sunlight and weaken it over time. The goal is to balance airflow and stability.
Tip: For large trees, always consult a certified arborist who can prune the canopy safely and strategically.
6. Remove Hazardous Trees Before the Storm
Sometimes, the best way to prevent storm damage is to remove a dangerous tree completely. If a tree is dead, hollow, or leaning too close to your home or utility lines, it’s safer to have it removed before hurricane season.
You can identify a hazardous tree by:
- Large dead branches or sections
- Soft, decayed wood inside the trunk
- Significant leaning after rainfall
- Visible root damage or uplifted soil
Removing unstable trees early can protect your home and nearby trees from secondary damage when storms hit.
7. Clear Debris and Loose Branches
Make sure your yard is clear of any fallen branches, dead limbs, or garden debris before hurricane season begins. These can become dangerous projectiles in strong winds.
You should also:
- Secure outdoor furniture, potted plants, and garden tools
- Check that nearby drains and gutters are clear
- Remove any old wood piles or objects around trees
This not only reduces the risk of property damage but also creates a safer environment after the storm.
8. Maintain Proper Mulching and Watering
Healthy trees can better handle harsh conditions. Applying mulch and watering correctly helps your trees stay strong and flexible during storms.
Mulching:
- Use natural mulch like wood chips or bark
- Keep it around (but not touching) the base of the tree
- It helps retain moisture and prevent soil erosion during heavy rains
Watering:
- Deeply water your trees once or twice a week, especially in dry months
- Avoid frequent shallow watering because it encourages weak surface roots
Balanced watering strengthens your trees’ root systems which make them more resistant to strong winds.
9. Avoid Tree Topping Because It Causes Long-Term Damage
Tree topping (cutting off the top portion of a tree) might seem like a quick way to reduce height or risk, but it’s actually harmful.
Topping leaves your tree unbalanced and encourages weak, fast-growing shoots that can break easily. It also exposes large wounds that invite pests and disease.
Instead of topping, ask a professional to perform structural pruning which shapes your tree safely without harming its natural form. This method helps your trees grow stronger and healthier over time.
10. After the Storm: Assess Damage Carefully
Once the storm passes, inspect your trees for damage but do it carefully. Some branches may look stable but can still fall.
Check for:
- Broken or hanging limbs
- Splits in the trunk
- Trees leaning more than before
- Uprooted roots or soil movement
It’s best to call a professional tree service if you notice serious damage. Certified arborists have the equipment and expertise to handle dangerous cleanup safely.
Avoid using chainsaws or climbing damaged trees yourself and post-storm trees can be unpredictable and unstable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ideally, start in spring or early summer, before the first storms arrive. This gives your trees time to recover after pruning or maintenance.
Most trees benefit from pruning once a year but fast-growing species may need more frequent trimming.
Palm trees are naturally flexible but it helps to remove old fronds and fruit clusters before storms to reduce wind drag.
Light fertilization can help trees stay strong, but avoid heavy fertilizing right before storms, it may encourage soft new growth.
Only remove small, low-hanging branches yourself. For larger ones, hire a professional tree service to avoid injury.
Conclusion: Preparation Brings Peace of Mind
Preparing your trees for hurricane season takes some effort but it can make a huge difference when storms hit. Healthy, well-maintained trees are less likely to fall, cause damage, or block roads and driveways.
You protect not just your landscape but also your home and your family’s safety by inspecting, pruning and caring for your trees regularly.
Remember, the best time to prepare is before the storm arrives and a little care today can save you a lot of trouble later.