Storm Damage to Trees — What to Do First

UK insurers paid out £585 million in weather-related claims in 2024 — the consequence of twelve named storms arriving in a single season. The previous year had generated £573 million in claims, a figure that itself represented a 36% increase on 2022. More than one in five UK homes has experienced storm damage in the last five years. A significant proportion of those claims involve trees: branches through roofs, root systems that have failed and sent a tree into a fence or outbuilding, partially uprooted specimens leaning against structures, and what arborists call widow makers — large branches that are partially detached, suspended in the canopy, and capable of falling without any further warning. Trees standing over properties in the Test and Itchen valleys, on the exposed Solent coast, and in the chalk downland of central Hampshire are all in areas that experience meaningful wind events through the winter months.

Storm damage to trees is one of those situations where the instinct to act immediately is often wrong, and where panic costs more than patience. Here is what to do — in what order, and why it matters.

Step 1: Stay Back and Assess from a Distance

The biggest mistake after storm damage is getting too close too soon. Inspect from a safe distance — ideally from indoors or from behind a solid structure. Look for:

• Branches that are partially broken but still hanging (known as “widow makers” — they can fall without warning)
• Trees that are leaning significantly more than before the storm, or that have moved at the root plate
• Branches or trunks in contact with power lines — treat all lines as live
• Damage to roofs, fences or other structures that the tree is resting on

Only once you’re confident there’s no immediate risk of further falling material should you approach more closely.

Step 2: Identify What Actually Needs Urgent Attention

Not all storm damage constitutes an emergency. A significant amount of post-storm tree work is genuinely urgent; a lot more looks dramatic but can be assessed and scheduled at normal pace.

Genuinely urgent

• Hanging branches (widow makers) over paths, buildings or anywhere people pass
• Trees that have partially uprooted and are leaning against a building or structure
• Fallen trees on roads, driveways or blocking essential access
• Structural damage to buildings where a tree or branch has come through

Can wait for an assessment

• Trees that have lost branches but are otherwise standing and structurally sound
• Fallen trees in open gardens that aren’t blocking access or presenting a risk
• Branches on the ground that are simply producing a mess to clear up

Step 3: Document the Damage

Before anything is moved or cleared, photograph the damage from multiple angles. This is important for:

• Insurance claims — your insurer will want evidence of the extent and nature of the damage
• TPO positions — if the damaged tree is TPO-protected, you’ll need to document why emergency work was required
• Planning any restoration work — photos help us assess what’s needed before we arrive

Step 4: Call a Professional

We provide emergency tree surgery across Winchester and Hampshire. For genuine emergencies — hanging branches, fallen trees on structures, partially uprooted trees — we aim to respond on the same day. For non-emergency storm clearance, we’ll book a site visit and give you a clear quote.

After the Storm — Don’t Rush to Remove the Whole Tree

Storm-damaged trees are sometimes more recoverable than they look in the immediate aftermath. A tree that has lost significant crown may put on strong regrowth if the structural root system is intact and the remaining scaffold is sound. A professional assessment after immediate safety work is completed will tell you whether restoration is viable or whether removal is the appropriate next step.