Why Summer Storms Can Be a Threat to Weak Trees

July 16, 2025

How to Protect Your Property This Summer

Midwestern summers are known for their beauty: long sunny days, lush greenery, and warm evenings. But they also bring a regular cycle of heavy storms. Thunderstorms, high winds, and saturated ground can wreak havoc on vulnerable trees, creating serious safety hazards and costly property damage.


For homeowners and property managers, understanding how storm conditions interact with tree health is essential. The good news is that most storm-related tree failures are preventable with proactive care and inspection. This article will explore why weak trees are especially at risk during summer storms and how working with a certified arborist can help safeguard your property.

A brick house with a lush green lawn and flowers in front of it.

What Makes Summer Storms So Dangerous?

Midwest summer storms often combine several risk factors that make conditions especially threatening for weakened or poorly maintained trees:

  • High Winds: Gusts can snap limbs or uproot entire trees, especially if they’re top-heavy or structurally compromised.
  • Soaked Soil: Prolonged rain softens the ground, weakening a tree’s root anchorage. Even a moderate wind can topple a tree in oversaturated soil.
  • Lightning Strikes: Trees are frequent lightning targets. While direct strikes are rare, they can cause hidden internal damage or ignite fires.
  • Sudden Gusts and Downbursts: Unlike steady wind, sudden, powerful gusts can twist or split limbs, particularly in trees with pre-existing cracks or imbalances.
A tree with lots of white flowers on it

Signs That a Tree Might Be Vulnerable

Not all trees are equally at risk. Healthy trees with strong root systems and balanced canopies are much more likely to withstand storm forces. In contrast, the following signs may indicate a tree is vulnerable:

  • Dead or dying branches (often visible as brittle, leafless limbs)
  • Leaning trunks or visible root upheaval
  • Cracks or splits in the trunk or large limbs
  • Excessive canopy density (which can catch the wind like a sail)
  • Fungal growth near the base of the tree or on limbs
  • Previous storm damage that has gone unaddressed



These symptoms suggest internal decay, poor structure, or weakening root systems, all of which increase the chance of failure during a storm.

A man is working on a tree with an orange crane.

The Cost of Inaction

Many property owners underestimate the consequences of tree failure until it’s too late. A large falling limb or tree can:

  • Damage vehicles, homes, roofs, or power lines
  • Block roads or driveways, creating emergency access issues
  • Injure people or pets, potentially resulting in liability
  • Disrupt power or internet, especially if utility lines are affected



Emergency removals after a storm are often more expensive and complicated than proactive maintenance. In some cases, insurance may not cover damage caused by a known hazard that wasn’t addressed in time.

A person is planting a tree in the ground with a shovel.

What You Can Do Right Now

1. Here are steps you can take today to minimize storm-related risks:


Schedule a Professional Tree Inspection
A certified arborist can evaluate the health and structural stability of your trees. At Midwest Tree Surgeons, we identify potential hazards that might not be obvious to the untrained eye.


2. Remove Dead or Compromised Trees
If a tree is beyond saving, it’s better to remove it under controlled conditions than let a storm decide for you.


3. Trim and Thin Overgrown Canopies
Strategic pruning reduces wind resistance and removes weak or crossing limbs. This helps healthy trees stay upright and strong during storms.



4. Support Vulnerable Trees
In some cases, younger or slightly leaning trees can be braced or cabled to increase their resilience.

Lightning strikes over a field at night with a fence in the foreground.

Why Work With a Professional Arborist?

Tree work is not just about cutting limbs. It’s about understanding tree biology, structure, and how to make decisions that promote long-term safety and health. At Midwest Tree Surgeons, we specialize in evaluating trees for storm risk and providing tailored solutions, whether that means pruning, removal, or support systems.


We bring years of experience, proper equipment, and the training to handle even the most complicated situations safely and efficiently. Our goal is to protect both your property and your trees wherever possible.


Book an Inspection Before the Next Storm Hits

Summer storms will keep coming. The question is whether your trees are ready to weather them. If you’ve noticed leaning trunks, dead branches, or trees that just don’t look quite right, now is the time to act.


Contact Midwest Tree Surgeons today to schedule a storm-readiness assessment. A little preparation now can prevent a major disaster later.

A purple lightning bolt strikes a building at night
A man is hanging from a crane with a blue sky in the background.
A large pine tree is surrounded by other trees in a park on a sunny day.
There is a lot of lightning in the sky at night.
A man is cutting down a large tree with a chainsaw.
A man is sitting on a tree branch in the woods.

Why Topping a Tree Can Create Long-Term Problems

August 25, 2026
When a tree grows too large for its surroundings, removing the upper portion of the canopy may seem like a quick solution. This practice, commonly called tree topping, involves cutting major branches or leaders back to stubs or lateral branches that are too small to assume the terminal role.  Although topping can immediately reduce a tree’s height, it can also create lasting structural and health problems. For homeowners concerned about an oversized or potentially hazardous tree, professional pruning is generally a better approach.

Why Correct Pest Identification Matters Before Treatment

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When insects begin damaging a tree, the first instinct may be to treat the problem as quickly as possible. But not every insect requires the same response, and some insects that look harmful may not be the actual cause of the decline. Applying the wrong treatment can waste time, money, and potentially put additional stress on the tree.  Midwest Tree Surgeons takes a diagnosis-first approach to tree care. Correct pest identification helps determine whether treatment is needed, which method is appropriate, and whether the real problem may involve disease, environmental stress, or another underlying issue.

What Cankers Can Tell You About Tree Stress

August 11, 2026
Trees often show signs of trouble long before they experience major decline. One warning sign that deserves attention is the appearance of a canker—a localized area of dead or damaged bark that develops on a trunk, branch, or stem. Cankers can be caused by fungi, bacteria, environmental injury, or a combination of stress factors, and they often reveal that a tree is struggling to defend itself.  While not every canker means a tree is doomed, these lesions can provide valuable clues about underlying health problems. Midwest Tree Surgeons helps property owners evaluate symptoms such as bark damage, dieback, discoloration, and structural weakness so that appropriate care can begin before problems become more severe.

Recognizing Pine Bark Beetle Activity Before Serious Tree Damage Occurs

August 6, 2026
Pine trees are valued throughout the Midwest for their year-round beauty, wind protection, and ecological importance. Although these evergreens are generally hardy, they can become vulnerable to insect pests when stressed by drought, storm damage, construction activity, or disease. One group of insects that deserves particular attention is the pine bark beetle . While these beetles are small, their activity can have significant consequences for individual trees and, in some situations, entire stands of pines.  Recognizing the early signs of bark beetle activity allows property owners to respond before damage becomes more extensive. Professional evaluation is often the best way to determine whether a tree can be preserved or whether additional management measures are appropriate.

Why Some Trees Live for Hundreds of Years

July 28, 2026
Standing beneath a towering oak or sycamore, it is easy to appreciate a tree’s size. What is less obvious is its age. Many of the mature trees found throughout Missouri and the greater American Midwest have been growing for generations, quietly enduring changing weather, shifting landscapes, and the passage of time. While no tree lives forever, some species possess remarkable longevity, allowing them to become living landmarks that connect communities with their natural history.  Understanding why certain trees live for centuries can help property owners appreciate the importance of proper tree care and preservation.

Understanding How Trees Heal After Pruning

July 21, 2026
Pruning is one of the most valuable services a professional arborist can provide, yet it is often misunderstood. Some homeowners worry that removing healthy branches may harm a tree, while others assume pruning is only necessary when limbs become hazardous. In reality, proper pruning is a proactive practice that supports tree health, improves structure, and helps trees adapt to changing environmental conditions.  When performed correctly and at the appropriate time, pruning works with a tree’s natural biological processes, allowing it to continue growing safely and efficiently for years to come.

How Arborists Help Extend the Life of Valuable Trees

July 14, 2026
Trees are among the longest-living features on any property. A mature oak, maple, or other established tree may take decades to reach its full size, providing shade, beauty, wildlife habitat , and increased property value along the way. Because of the time and environmental benefits they represent, preserving healthy trees whenever possible is often a worthwhile investment.  Professional arborists play an important role in helping trees remain healthy, structurally sound, and capable of thriving for many years. Through regular evaluations and proactive care, they can identify potential problems early and recommend treatments that support long-term tree health.

How Trees Support Wildlife Throughout the Year

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Trees do much more than provide shade and enhance the beauty of a landscape. They are living ecosystems that support a remarkable variety of wildlife throughout every season. From nesting birds in the spring to sheltering mammals during the winter, healthy trees provide food, protection, and habitat for countless species.  For homeowners and property managers , understanding the connection between trees and wildlife offers another reason to invest in professional tree care. Proper maintenance not only helps preserve the health and appearance of trees but also supports the many forms of life that depend on them.

How Arborists Evaluate Tree Risk

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Trees add beauty, shade, and value to residential and commercial properties, but like any living organism, they change over time. While many trees remain healthy for decades, others may develop structural weaknesses that increase the likelihood of branch failure or even complete tree failure.  Identifying these concerns is not always straightforward. A tree may appear healthy on the outside while hiding internal defects, or it may display subtle warning signs that only a trained professional can recognize. That is why professional tree risk assessments are an important part of responsible property management. Certified arborists evaluate much more than whether a tree looks healthy. Their goal is to determine how likely a tree is to fail, what the consequences of that failure could be, and whether any corrective action is appropriate.

Why Native Trees Continue to Be Important

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When planning a landscape, homeowners often focus on appearance, growth rate, shade potential, or seasonal color. While these factors certainly matter, another important consideration is whether a tree is native to the region.  Native trees have evolved alongside local soils, weather conditions, wildlife, and ecosystems for thousands of years. As a result, they often play a critical role in maintaining healthy landscapes and supporting the natural environment. Although non-native species can sometimes thrive in residential settings, native trees continue to provide unique benefits that make them valuable additions to properties and communities alike. Understanding why native trees remain important can help property owners make informed decisions about their landscapes.
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