The Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex is one of the most storm-prone regions in the United States. Spring storm season — roughly March through May — brings the highest concentration of severe weather: tornadoes, straight-line winds exceeding 70 mph, large hail, and heavy rain. Summer thunderstorms can produce damaging gusts with little warning.

For DFW homeowners with mature trees, storm season preparation isn't optional — it's essential. Here's what you need to do before the storms arrive.

February–March: Pre-season preparation window. This is the ideal time to complete tree trimming, structural assessments, and any removal of hazardous trees. The dormant season is ending, but the severe weather hasn't started yet.

March–May: Peak tornado and severe thunderstorm season. Highest risk of tornadoes, straight-line winds, and large hail across the entire DFW area.

June–August: Summer thunderstorm season. Less tornado risk, but frequent severe thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts and heavy rain.

September–October: Secondary storm season. Hurricane remnants occasionally reach DFW, bringing sustained wind and heavy rain.

Before storm season, have a qualified tree service walk your property and assess every significant tree. They should look for:

• Dead or dying branches — The most common source of storm damage; dead wood breaks first
• Co-dominant stems — Two or more main trunks of equal size competing for dominance; these are prone to splitting
• Included bark — Bark trapped between two stems creates a weak union that can fail under wind load
• Cracks or splits in the trunk or major branches
• Root problems — Heaved roots, soil cracks near the base, or recent construction damage
• Decay — Fungal growth, soft spots, or hollow sections

Crown thinning — selectively removing interior branches — reduces the "sail effect" that causes trees to catch wind and fail. A properly thinned crown allows wind to pass through rather than pushing against a solid mass of foliage.

Crown thinning is most valuable on large trees with dense canopies: live oaks, cedar elms, and pecans are the primary candidates in DFW.

Dead branches are the most predictable failure point during a storm. They're already structurally compromised — a strong gust is all it takes to send them through your roof or onto your vehicle.

Dead branch removal should be completed before storm season, not after.

Co-dominant stems, included bark, and large cracks should be addressed before storm season. Options include:

• Structural pruning — Removing one of two competing stems while the tree is young enough to recover
• Cabling and bracing — Installing hardware to support a weak union on a mature tree
• Removal — When structural defects are too severe to correct safely

If a tree on your property has multiple serious defects — significant decay, root failure, severe structural problems — removal before storm season is the responsible choice. A hazardous tree that fails during a storm can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage and create serious safety risks.

Live oak: Crown thin every 3–5 years. Remove dead branches annually. Never prune between February and June (oak wilt risk).

Pecan: Thin the canopy to reduce wind resistance. Pecans have naturally brittle wood and are prone to limb failure during storms.

Cedar elm: Remove mistletoe, which adds weight and stress to branches. Thin the crown to reduce wind resistance.

Bradford pear: Consider proactive removal. Bradford pears are structurally weak and prone to catastrophic splitting during storms. Many DFW homeowners are removing these before they fail.

Crape myrtle: Remove any dead wood. Crape myrtles are generally storm-resistant, but topped crape myrtles (with the characteristic knobs from improper pruning) can develop weak regrowth that breaks during storms.

1. Stay safe — Don't approach fallen trees near power lines
2. Document damage — Photos before any cleanup for insurance purposes
3. Call Tree Crew at (972) 999-3627 — 24/7 emergency response throughout DFW
4. Don't assume standing trees are safe — Trees that shifted during a storm may have root failure

Tree Crew has 27 years of experience preparing DFW trees for storm season. We serve all of Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Garland, Irving, Richardson, Carrollton, Lewisville, Denton, Wylie, Mansfield, and the surrounding DFW area.

Call (972) 999-3627 or contact us online to schedule your pre-storm assessment. Don't wait until the first storm of the season — schedule now while our calendar has availability.