University of Illinois Extension
Factsheet
Pruning Storm Damaged Trees
Safety
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Think SAFETY! Don’t try to do it all yourself. Hire a certified arborist if overhead chainsaw
work is needed, limbs are hanging or high climbing is necessary.
Look up and down. Be alert to hanging limbs and downed power lines.
The first branches that should be removed are broken branches still attached to the tree.
Proper Pruning
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Do remove jagged stumps of broken limbs. This will minimize the risk of decay agents entering
the wound.
Branches smaller than 3 inch diameter can be removed with a pruning saw or pole-pruner.
If using a chain saw, a safety rope and harness are necessary.
Pruning paints and wound dressings don’t increase the rate of healing.
Don’t overprune. Remove only damaged branches. The trees appearance does not have to be
perfect. Healthy, intact branches should be left alone and remain on the tree. A tree needs all the
branches it can to produce foliage for the next growing season.
DON’T TOP TREES! Never cut the main branches of a tree back to stubs.
Topping is the worst thing you can do for a tree. The tree will need all healthy
branches to have the necessary resources to recover from storm damage.
Topping will also reduce the amount of foliage needed for a tree to produce food.
Tree stubs left by topping will only grow weakly attached branches.
Guidelines for Pruning Branches
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Because of its weight a branch can tear loose during pruning, stripping the
bark and creating jagged edges that invite insects and disease. Trees branches
should be cut using a three step procedure:
A) Step 1- Make a partial cut from the underside of a branch, at a point
several inches (about 12 inches) away from the trunk.
B) Step 2- Make a second cut from above several inches out from the first cut, to allow the limb to
fall safely.
C) Step 3- Complete the job with a final cut just outside the branch collar, the raised area that
surrounds the branch where it joins the trunk.
Torn Bark
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Smoothing the ragged edge of torn bark helps the wound heal faster and
eliminates hiding places for insects. Carefully use a chisel or sharp knife
to smooth the ragged edges of wounds where the bark has been torn.
Avoid cutting too deeply as this may cause additional damage to the cambium (inner bark).
To speed the healing process, shape the area into an elongated football with pointed ends of the cut
running vertically along the trunk or limb.
Hire a Certified Arborist
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While a fast clean-up is important to many homeowners, not hiring a reputable tree service may
create more problems.
Be patient, local, reputable companies are very busy.
A list of International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) members can be found on their website at
http://www.isa-arbor.com/findArborist/findarborist.aspx. ISA arborist certification is a voluntary
process. Arborists receive certification by passing a comprehensive exam and maintain the
certification through continuing education. Certification is a measure of knowledge, but not a
measure of standards of practice.
Illinois law does not require arborist to have certifications. Certifications are voluntary.
Be cautious of companies showing up at your doorstep or from out of state.
Ask for current certificates of insurance showing fully insured for property damage, personal
liability and worker compensation. If the company is from out of state, make sure that the
insurance covers work done in Illinois.
Review with the arborist work that will be done, prior to starting the job.
Save or Cut Down the Tree
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A healthy vigorously growing tree, that is not creating a hazard and did not suffer major structural
damage, will generally recover with proper pruning.
Things to consider when making a decision to save a tree: the health of the tree, species of the tree,
age, growing location, value to the property and is it somewhat attractive.
The larger a broken limb, the harder it will be for a tree to recover.
A tree should be saved only if a substantial portion of the tree’s canopy is intact. A tree with less
than 50 percent of its branches may not be able to produce enough foliage to nourish the tree.
A pruned tree has to replace lost foliage and defend exposed tissue from diseases and insects.
If the tree is an undesirable species or planted in the wrong location, consider removing it if it has
serious damage.
If you are not sure what to do with a tree, wait and see. Trees with 20 to 40 percent damage may
recover. Remove damaged limbs and evaluate the tree over time.
For more information: The National Arbor Day Foundation, Can These Trees Be Saved?,
http://www.arborday.org/media/stormrecovery/2_canthesetreesbesaved.cfm
For More Information on Proper Pruning Practices
Information for this fact sheet was obtained from the ISA and The National Arbor Day Foundation.
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International Society of Arboriculture, Trees Are Good, http://www.treesaregood.com
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The National Arbor Day Foundation, Storm Recovery,
http://www.arborday.org/media/stormrecovery/index.cfm
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University of Illinois Extension, Ice Damaged Trees, http://urbanext.illinois.edu/icedamage/
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Michigan State University Extension, Repairing Storm Damage to Trees,
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/repairing_ornamental_plants_and_trees_from_storm_damage
If you have questions, would like pruning information mailed to you or a list of certified arborist in your
area, contact your local Extension office. Illustrations courtesy of Arbor Day Foundation.
University of Illinois Extension
Prepared by: Jennifer Fishburn, Horticulture Unit Educator
University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.
December 2012