When bad weather approaches, we usually think about stocking up on food and securing our homes. But what about your yard? Strong winds, heavy rain, and ice can quickly turn a beautiful outdoor space into a hazardous mess.
Don’t wait for the storm to prepare your landscape. Taking proactive steps beforehand significantly reduces potential damage and makes post-storm cleanup much easier.
Assessing Your Landscape Risks
Before a storm hits, walk around your property and look for potential hazards. Visualize the impact of strong winds and heavy rain. Are there areas prone to pooling water? Poor drainage can erode soil and weaken tree and shrub roots, increasing the risk they’ll be uprooted.
Also, identify any unsecured items. Decorative pots, garden gnomes, or loose fence pickets can become dangerous projectiles in high winds. This quick assessment of potential vulnerabilities is the first step in preparing your landscape for extreme weather.
Tree Care Before a Storm
Trees are often the biggest concern during storms. A falling branch or an uprooted tree can cause significant damage to your house. Proactive tree care is essential. Look for dead, cracked, or loosely hanging branches. These weak points are often the first to break in strong winds. These are called widowmakers for a reason.
Also, consider the overall shape of your trees. A dense, overgrown canopy acts like a sail, catching wind and creating stress on the trunk and roots. Thinning the canopy allows wind to pass through more easily, making the tree less likely to topple. While you can trim small branches yourself, assessing a large tree’s health or performing major trimming requires a professional.
For a thorough evaluation, enlist certified arborists offering complete tree care services to ensure the job is done safely and correctly.
Securing Outdoor Structures
Your yard likely has many items needing securing before a storm. Patio furniture, umbrellas, and barbecue grills are commonly damaged by wind. Move these into a garage or shed if possible. For large, immovable items like trampolines or heavy picnic tables, secure them with sturdy ties or anchors.
Don’t overlook structures like gazebos, sheds, and children’s play sets. Ensure they are well-maintained and firmly anchored. A poorly maintained shed can easily be demolished by strong winds, scattering hazardous debris across your yard and potentially to neighbors. Effective storm preparation for your landscape involves more than just plants and trees.
Post-Storm Cleanup Tips
After the storm passes and it’s safe to venture outside, begin cleanup with safety as your top priority. Exercise extreme caution around downed power lines—always assume they are live. Also, be wary of broken trees or large branches still precariously hanging, as they could fall suddenly.
Before clearing debris, photograph any damage to your home and property for insurance purposes. Once documented, start cleanup with manageable, smaller debris.
For large, fallen trees or branches resting on your roof or car, call professional help. Attempting removal yourself without proper equipment can cause further damage or lead to serious injury.
By preparing your yard beforehand, you not only protect your home but also ensure a faster, safer recovery for everyone involved.
