If you’ve lived in Greenville for a while, you know the havoc storms can wreak on trees. High winds, heavy rain, and lightning can damage your trees—sometimes in ways that aren’t immediately visible—posing risks to your property and safety.
To protect your home and keep your trees healthy, follow these three simple tips for inspecting tree damage after a storm:
1. Prioritize Safety First
Before stepping outside, check for downed power lines. If you spot any, stay far away and contact Duke Energy immediately. Never touch or move wires—live or not—and keep children and pets indoors until the area is safe.
2. Assess the Damage
Start with a visual inspection of your tree's crown (leaves and branches). Look for broken limbs and remove them carefully by cutting back to the trunk—this prevents disease and further damage. Avoid over-pruning, even if the tree looks unbalanced; new growth will restore its shape over time.
Examine the trunk for long cracks, especially near areas with previous decay. Jagged bark or open wounds can attract harmful insects and fungi, so these need prompt attention from a professional. Lastly, check the roots—exposed roots may signal instability. If a tree is leaning, alert your neighbors and stay clear of its potential fall path.
3. Call a Professional Tree Service
While minor branch removal is doable, serious storm damage requires expert help. A licensed tree service like Greenville Tree Co can assess the tree’s health, recommend next steps, and safely remove hazardous limbs or entire trees if necessary.
Proactive care—like regular pruning—can minimize storm damage. Well-maintained trees are not only healthier but less likely to fall. Plus, most insurance companies are more likely to cover storm-related damages if you've kept up with routine tree maintenance.
Need help after a storm? Greenville Tree Co offers expert tree care, from trimming and pruning to emergency tree removal. Call or text us at 864-520-9084 for a free estimate.