🌪️ Is Your Property Storm-Ready? Find Out With These 6 Easy Tips for Homeowners in North Georgia
Here are our 6 Expert Tree-Care Tips for Homeowners in North Georgia
In North Georgia, hurricane season doesn’t just bring wind and rain. It brings real risks to your home, property, and peace of mind. If it’s a tropical system drifting inland or sudden high winds from a summer thunderstorm, your trees are often the first line of defense… or the first to cause damage.
At LS Trees, we specialize in proactive tree care, storm preparation, and risk reduction across Cumming, Alpharetta, Dawsonville, Gainesville, and surrounding North Georgia areas. With over 15 years of hands-on experience, we’ve seen how consistent maintenance can prevent thousands of dollars in storm damage, and even protect lives.
Below are six steps you can take today to ensure your property is storm-ready and your trees are safe, strong, and well-prepared for whatever the North Georgia weather throws your way.
🌳 1. Inspect for Weak or Overgrown Limbs
The most common cause of storm damage isn’t an uprooted tree. It’s falling limbs. Overextended, dead, or weakened branches can snap under pressure from heavy rain or high winds, damaging roofs, vehicles, fences, and windows.
A single branch striking your roof can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs, and insurance doesn’t always cover it if deemed preventable.
That’s why our certified arborists at LS Trees perform full canopy inspections to identify risky limbs. We remove deadwood, reduce weight from overextended branches, and ensure the canopy is balanced for better wind resistance.
💡 Pro tip: Schedule these inspections before spring storms and again before hurricane season peaks (August–October).
🌲 2. Check for Tree Lean and Trunk Integrity
A leaning tree might not seem alarming - until a storm hits. A sudden tilt or shifting roots can signal structural failure below ground. If you see cracking soil, mushrooms near the base, or exposed roots, it’s time for a professional inspection.
Our team at LS Trees uses advanced assessment methods to evaluate root anchoring, trunk cavities, and internal decay. When a tree poses a safety hazard, we walk property owners through safe removal or cabling options designed to preserve surrounding healthy trees.
🍂 3. Clear Out Deadwood, Stumps, and Debris
Dead branches and stumps aren’t just unsightly. They become flying hazards during high-wind events. Loose limbs and leftover debris can become projectiles, breaking windows, denting cars, or injuring people.
LS Trees crews are fully equipped to clear storm-prone areas, grind old stumps, and eliminate debris that could become dangerous in severe weather.
Bonus: stump grinding also improves your yard’s appearance and prevents regrowth or pest infestations.
⚡ 4. Assess Trees Near Power Lines, Rooflines, and Structures
Trees that grow too close to structures pose long-term risks. Limbs brushing against roofs can damage shingles, while branches hanging near power lines create both electrical and fire hazards.
We specialize in tight-access trimming and crane removals, using precision equipment to reach difficult spaces safely. It could be a pine near your driveway or an oak shading your deck, we ensure each cut improves safety without compromising your tree’s health.
If you’re near Lake Lanier or sloped properties, this step is especially critical. Wind off the water often hits harder and causes unexpected tree stress.
🪵 5. Schedule a Tree Health Check for Insects and Disease
A healthy tree can withstand storms. A weakened one can’t. Pests like borers, carpenter ants, or fungi often hollow trees from the inside out.
Our certified team performs in-depth tree health assessments throughout Cumming and Dawsonville, checking for:
Fungal growth or conks at the base
Soft wood or hollow trunks
Boreholes or pest activity
Leaf discoloration or crown dieback
Catching these issues early allows for targeted treatments, pruning, or removal before storm season escalates. Healthy trees are your best natural defense.
🌤️ 6. Build a Long-Term Tree Management Plan
Storm preparation isn’t a one-and-done task. It’s an ongoing part of responsible property ownership. Trees grow, seasons change, and weather patterns shift.
That’s why LS Trees offers custom tree-care plans for homeowners and HOAs throughout North Georgia. These include:
Seasonal trimming schedules
Annual risk assessments
Stump and debris removal
Future planting strategies to improve wind tolerance
By planning ahead, you can protect your investment and enjoy a safer, more beautiful property year-round.
🌾 Bonus: Repurpose Storm Debris with Free Wood Chips
After trimming or removal, LS Trees offers free wood chips to local homeowners, an eco-friendly way to recycle tree debris into something beneficial.
Wood chips help:
Retain soil moisture during dry months
Prevent erosion on sloped properties
Suppress weeds naturally
Add organic nutrients back into the soil
They also create a polished, professional look for fall landscaping, perfect before the holidays. Call us and ask about delivery next time our crews is in your area.
🌀 Hurricane & Storm Season: Why You Shouldn’t Wait
We all remember Hurricane Helene that swept through Georgia. It was an unpredictable storm that shifted course overnight and caught homeowners off guard. Entire neighborhoods saw uprooted trees, crushed fences, and week-long power outages.
The lesson? Storms don’t wait, and neither should you. A quick inspection now can save you thousands later.
Cumming, GA Story:
A homeowner in Cumming contacted LS Trees for a routine fall inspection. We discovered a rotting oak leaning over their driveway, which had invisible decay beneath the bark. Two weeks later, a tropical storm passed through. Had the tree not been removed, it would have landed on their vehicles. Instead, they were able to watch the storm safely from inside their home.
🌳 FAQs: Storm-Prep Tree Services in North Georgia
Q: How do I know if my trees are storm-ready?
A: Look for leaning trunks, dead limbs, cracked bark, or discolored leaves. If you’re unsure, schedule a professional assessment. Trust us when we say, peace of mind is priceless.
Q: When is the best time to prepare my property?
A: The ideal window is late spring through early fall, but inspections are valuable year-round. Georgia’s peak storm months are August through October.
Q: Do you work on lakefront or steep-access properties?
A: Yes. We use specialized equipment, including cranes and barges, for Lake Lanier, steep driveways, and waterfront homes.
Q: My trees look healthy. Should I still schedule an inspection?
A: Absolutely. Some of the most dangerous trees appear healthy on the outside. Early detection saves time, money, and stress later.
🏠Protect Your Home, Family & Property
At LS Trees, our mission is simple - protect your property like it’s our own. Every assessment, trim, and removal is done with safety, precision, and care.
đź“ž Call today: (770) 616-6079
đź’» Visit: www.LSTreesLLC.com
đź’¸ Mention this blog for $100 OFF your next storm-prep service & referrals receive a $50 gift card
đź“Ť Proudly serving Cumming, Alpharetta, Dawsonville, Gainesville, and surrounding areas.