Storm-Proofing Your Trees Before Hill Country Thunderstorm Season

Hill Country storms are no joke

We see straight-line winds, hail, and saturated soil every spring. Mature live oaks and cedar elms with heavy canopies act like sails — and weak unions, deadwood, or end-heavy limbs are the first to go.

What to look for

• Deadwood in the upper canopy
• Codominant stems with included bark (the V-shaped union)
• End-weighted limbs stretching over a roof, driveway, or pool
• Visible cracks, cavities, or mushroom conks at the base

What we do before storm season

1. Crown cleaning to remove dead and weak wood
2. Selective end-weight reduction on long lateral limbs
3. Cabling and bracing for high-value trees with weak unions
4. Hazard assessment on any tree within striking distance of the house

Timing

Aim to have storm prep done by early March in the Hill Country. Once severe weather starts rolling through, schedules fill up fast and crews shift to emergency response.