Brevard County sits on one of Florida's most hurricane-exposed stretches of coastline, and after wind and water, trees are the single biggest storm threat to your property. A healthy, well-maintained tree can ride out a hurricane; a neglected or hazardous one can come through your roof. The good news: most storm tree damage is preventable with the right preparation. This guide covers what to do before, during, and after a storm—and when to call for help.

Before the Storm: Prepare Your Trees Now

The work that protects your property happens in calm weather, not when a storm is 48 hours out. The most effective steps:

  • Get a professional risk assessment. A TRAQ-certified arborist can spot structural defects you can't—before they become projectiles. See our risk assessment service.
  • Thin the canopy (don't top it). Proper thinning lets wind pass through instead of pushing the tree over. Topping creates weak regrowth that fails—avoid it. Learn about ANSI A300 pruning.
  • Remove dead and hazardous trees. Dead, diseased, or severely leaning trees are the most likely to fail. Removing them now is far cheaper than emergency removal later.
  • Mind the power lines. Branches near utility lines need a credentialed Utility Specialist—never attempt this yourself.

Warning Signs a Tree May Fail in a Storm

Walk your property and look for these red flags—any one of them warrants a professional assessment:

  • A new or worsening lean, especially with soil heaving or cracking at the base.
  • Dead branches, or a thinning, off-color canopy while neighboring trees look healthy.
  • Cracks, cavities, or mushrooms/fungus on the trunk or major limbs—signs of internal decay.
  • Multiple trunks with tight, V-shaped "included bark" unions that split under wind load.

During & Right After the Storm: Stay Safe

When a storm hits, your safety comes before any tree. Stay indoors and away from windows during the storm. Afterward, treat every downed or sagging power line as live, and keep your distance from any tree tangled in lines. Don't attempt to remove a large, leaning, or partially fallen tree yourself—trees under tension can move violently and cause serious injury. Photograph all damage before anything is moved, for your insurance claim.

Storm Damage Cleanup & Emergency Removal

When the storm passes, we move fast. Branch Tree Service provides priority emergency response across Brevard County—emergency tree removal for trees on homes, vehicles, and roadways, and full storm cleanup and debris removal for residential, commercial, HOA, and municipal properties. Our crews are equipped with cranes, bucket trucks, and rigging for the technical removals that storms create, and every job is overseen by our ISA Board Certified Master Arborist.

Insurance & Documentation

After a storm, documentation is everything. We photograph all damage, provide itemized invoices aligned with insurer requirements, and our TRAQ-certified arborist can produce the risk-assessment reports adjusters rely on. For property managers with multiple sites, we provide consolidated reporting that simplifies claims across your whole portfolio.

Hurricane & Storm Tree Care — FAQs

When should I prepare my trees for hurricane season?

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, but the best time to prepare is before a storm is ever in the forecast. Structural pruning, removing dead or hazardous trees, and a professional risk assessment are far safer and cheaper done in calm weather than as an emergency. If you haven't had your trees evaluated this year, now is the time.

Does trimming actually reduce storm damage?

Yes—when it's done correctly. Proper canopy thinning lets wind pass through a tree instead of pushing against a dense "sail," which reduces the chance of uprooting or major limb failure. But "topping" a tree does the opposite: it creates weak, fast regrowth that fails more easily. All of our pruning follows ANSI A300 standards under our Master Arborist's supervision.

A tree fell on my house during a storm—what do I do?

First, get everyone to safety and stay away from any downed power lines—always assume they're live. Don't attempt to move a large or tangled tree yourself. Call us for 24/7 emergency response, and photograph the damage for your insurer before cleanup begins. Our crews handle the controlled removal and provide the documentation your claim needs.

Are you available during and after a hurricane?

We provide priority emergency response for our Brevard County clients. Our ISA Board Certified Master Arborist leads damage assessments within 24 hours of a storm passing, and our crews mobilize with the cranes and rigging needed for large-scale debris and hazardous removals.

Will insurance cover storm tree removal?

Generally, homeowners insurance covers removal when a tree falls on an insured structure or blocks your driveway, often up to a set limit. We document all storm damage with photos and a TRAQ-certified risk report so your claim is properly supported. Removing a healthy tree as a precaution is typically not covered.