Storms damage trees in various ways. Most of the time, the damage is obvious, making it easy to assess and deal with. However, storm damage is not always immediately apparent. In fact, it could be months before a tree owner notices that their tree has suffered damage. By that point, it may be too late to save the tree.

Storm damaged trees are a hazard to their surroundings. They may drop branches without warning, and even fall over if the damage is severe enough. Australia sees many storms each year, especially in Central Queensland, where more than 50 occur each year. If you live in a storm-prone area, you should know how to spot hidden damage to your trees.

Check for Signs of Lightning Damage

If you own a tall tree and live in an area that frequently experiences storms, your tree could become a natural lightning rod. After storms, check for the following signs of damage:

• Missing strips of bark
• Wilting leaves in one area
• Sprouts appearing along the trunk or branches of the tree
• Cracks in the ground, following the roots of the tree
• Dying plants around the roots of a tree

All of these types of damage are difficult to spot unless a homeowner actively searches for them. In some cases, only a tree's roots are damage. In this case, the tree could die within 6 months. It will then become hazardous to keep it. If you suspect that your tree's roots have been damaged by lightning, call an arborist. They can assess your tree's chances of survival.

Look for Wind and Hail Damage

Losing large branches could kill a tree. However, such damage is easy to spot. Wind may have weakened a branch where it connects to the trunk, leaving it at risk of snapping off in the next storm. Examine your trees branches where they connect to the trunk and to one another.

Moreover, check that your tree's canopy has not lost more than 50% of its leaves. A large tree needs its leaves to take in food from the sun. Losing over half of its leaves then, can leave a tree starved and sickly. Branches may then die and later drop onto the ground below them.

If your tree has suffered storm damage, you should call an arborist or tree lopper immediately. Trees are robust, but that doesn't mean they are impervious to severe storms. If the damage is hidden but severe, it might be best to remove the tree before it becomes a safety hazard.