Summer Storm Preparedness: Protecting Trees from High Winds and Lightning

Expert tips to prevent breakage and add lightning strike protection during summer storms

Why Summer Storm Prep Matters

July and August storms can bring 100 km/h wind gusts, heavy rain, and fierce lightning. A large maple can weigh more than a car when its leaves hold water, so even a healthy tree can break if it isn’t ready. A few low-cost steps now can save you thousands in repair bills later.

Before the Storm: Easy Prevention

What to Do Why It Helps DIY or Pro?
Remove dead or rubbing limbs Less “sail area” means fewer breaks Small cuts = DIY; big limbs = tree trimming services
Cabling & bracing weak forks Steel supports stop splitting in wind Always hire a certified arborist like Arborcorp
Add a lightning-protection cable Guides a strike safely into the ground Professional install only
Mulch & water deeply Strong roots anchor the tree DIY
Health check for bugs & disease Healthier trees resist wind shear Book a tree pruning service offered by Arborcorp

Tip: Have professionals like Arborcorp Tree Experts inspect mature trees every two years. 

Quick Pre-Storm Checklist

  • Look for cracked trunks or hanging limbs
  • Check that branch tips clear power lines by at least 3 metres
  • Confirm cabling hardware is snug, not rusted
  • Remove yard objects (furniture, toys) that can strike trunks
  • Photograph high-value trees for insurance records

When do you need cabling?


  • Narrow “V” forks over a roof or driveway
  • Old shade trees you’d hate to lose
  • Any fork that already shows a crack


How it’s done (3 steps)


  1. A metal rod is drilled through the split (that’s the brace).
  2. Flexible cables are bolted ⅔ up each limb.
  3. The rod stops the crack from opening; the cables share the wind load.


Lightning protection


Copper cable runs from the top limb down to a buried ground rod. The strike follows the wire instead of exploding the wood.


Post-Storm Clean-Up: Assess, Decide, Act

Damage Sign Risk Level Recommended Action Service to Request
Small twigs on lawn Low Rake & compost DIY
One hanging limb (>8 cm diam.) Medium Remove ASAP Tree cutting service available at Arborcorp
Split trunk or uprooted tree High Full tree removal & grind stump Tree removal crew and stump removal offered by Arborcorp
Lightning scar (spiral bark strip) High Inspect internal decay Certified arborist like Arborcorp

Note: Burlington homeowners often face lake-effect winds. If a large tree leans toward a house, call a tree removal crew to secure the site before grinding the stump.

DIY vs. Professional Matrix

Task Safe DIY? Requires Pro?
Collect branches under 5 cm thick ✔︎
Chainsaw work above shoulder height ✔︎
Debris entangled in hydro lines ✔︎ (utility + arborist)
Re-tension existing cables ✔︎

When in doubt, hire a qualified team like Arborcorp Tree Experts. Look for WSIB insurance and ISA credentials.

FAQs

  • Will cutting the top off reduce wind risk?

    No. “Topping” weakens structure and invites decay. Ask for selective crown thinning instead by a tree pruning service.

  • Does a lightning cable hurt the tree?

    No. The installer routes it outside the cambium so living tissue isn’t damaged. The cambium is the thin, living layer just under the bark. It’s the tree’s “skin,” carrying water and food upward. If lightning cooks this layer, that section of the tree dies.

  • My tree lost half its leaves—will it die?

    Probably not. Have an arborist prune ragged edges and monitor new growth.

  • Insurance wants estimates—what now?

    Contact a reputable tree cutting service for a written quote and photos.

  • How soon should I grind a stump?

    Within two weeks to stop pests and regrowth. Work with stump removal experts like Arborcorp

Summer storms are part of Ontario life, but big repair bills don’t have to be. A little pruning, a well-placed cable, and a quick post-storm check keep your family safe and your yard looking great.

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From preventive tree trimming in Mississauga that homeowners trust to tree removal in Burlington that residents rely on, Arborcorp keeps Ontario’s trees—and the people who love them—safe, healthy, and thriving.


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