Strong winds, thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rain can leave Eastern Kansas properties with everything from scattered branches to split trunks and fallen trees. Some damage is obvious. Other problems—such as cracked limbs or a tree that has shifted at the roots—may be easier to miss.
If a storm has damaged trees on your property in Topeka, Lawrence, Ottawa, or the surrounding area, here’s what to do next.
1. Check for Immediate Hazards Before Approaching the Tree
Before beginning cleanup, look at the entire area from a safe distance.
Watch for:
- Fallen or low-hanging utility lines
- Trees or large limbs resting on structures
- Broken branches still hanging in the canopy
- Split trunks or major cracks
- Trees that have begun leaning
- Uprooted or exposed roots
- Large limbs under tension
Don’t assume a branch is stable simply because it hasn’t fallen yet. Storm-damaged wood can shift unexpectedly, particularly when branches are broken but still partially attached.
If power lines are involved, stay away from the area and contact the appropriate utility provider.
2. Don’t Rush to Remove Hanging or Partially Broken Limbs
A large branch that’s hanging, split, or caught in another part of the tree can be particularly dangerous.
These branches may be carrying considerable weight while being supported by only a small amount of remaining wood. Cutting or pulling on them from the ground can cause them to fall or shift unexpectedly.
This is especially important when damaged branches are:
- High in the canopy
- Above a roof or vehicle
- Near utility lines
- Too large to handle safely from the ground
- Twisted or under visible tension
- Hung up in neighboring branches
Professional storm cleanup services can address hazardous limbs using the appropriate equipment and removal techniques.
3. Look at the Tree, Not Just the Fallen Branches
It’s natural to focus on what’s already on the ground after a storm, but the remaining tree deserves attention too.
Walk around it from a safe distance and look for changes such as:
- New cracks in the trunk
- Splitting where major branches connect
- A new or increased lean
- Soil lifting around the base
- Exposed roots
- Large areas of missing canopy
- Broken branches remaining overhead
A tree can still be unstable even after the obvious debris has been removed.
4. Determine Whether the Tree Can Be Saved
Storm damage doesn’t automatically mean a tree needs to come down.
A healthy tree that loses several branches may be able to recover with proper tree trimming and pruning, particularly when the trunk, roots, and primary structure remain sound.
The decision becomes more complicated when a tree has:
- A severely split trunk
- Significant root failure
- Major structural damage
- Extensive canopy loss
- A new lean caused by root movement
- Serious pre-existing decay combined with storm damage
The amount of damage matters, but so does where the damage occurred.
Removing damaged branches may be enough in some situations. In others, the remaining tree may no longer be structurally sound.
5. Know When Tree Removal May Be Necessary
Some storm-damaged trees cannot be safely maintained.
Tree removal may need to be considered when the storm has caused significant structural failure, uprooting, severe trunk damage, or instability—especially when the tree could affect a home, driveway, vehicle, neighboring property, or frequently used area.
If you’re trying to decide what you’re seeing, our guide to signs a tree may need to be removed explains some of the conditions that can indicate a more serious problem.
A professional evaluation can help distinguish between damage that can be addressed through pruning and damage that affects the safety of the entire tree.
6. Document Property Damage Before Major Cleanup
If a tree or limb has damaged your home, garage, fence, vehicle, or other property, take photos before cleanup begins when it is safe to do so.
Document:
- The overall damaged area
- The tree and where it failed
- Damage to structures or property
- Fallen limbs and debris
- Visible damage remaining in the tree
If you plan to contact your insurance provider, this documentation may be useful when discussing what happened and what cleanup is required.
Don’t put yourself in danger to get photographs. Safety comes first.
7. Be Careful With DIY Storm Cleanup
Small branches already lying on the ground may be manageable for some homeowners. Large or unstable storm-damaged trees are different.
Storm cleanup becomes especially risky when the work involves:
- Chainsaws
- Ladders
- Large branches
- Damaged trees under tension
- Trees or limbs near structures
- Overhead hazards
- Unstable trunks or root systems
Cutting storm-damaged wood can release stored tension and cause branches or sections of the tree to move suddenly.
If the cleanup requires specialized equipment or puts you underneath damaged portions of a tree, it’s time to bring in professional help.
8. Have Nearby Trees Checked Too
The tree that lost a major branch may not be the only one affected by the storm.
Strong winds and saturated soil can also damage neighboring trees without immediately bringing them down.
After severe weather, pay attention to trees that have:
- Developed a new lean
- Lost major limbs
- Shifted at the roots
- Developed visible cracks
- Changed noticeably in canopy shape
- Sustained damage near the trunk or main branch unions
Finding these problems early can help you address damaged limbs or structural concerns before the next round of severe weather.
What If the Damage Doesn’t Look Like an Emergency?
Not all storm damage requires immediate removal.
A broken branch that isn’t threatening a structure or access point may not have the same urgency as a tree on a house or a large hanging limb over a driveway.
That doesn’t mean it should be ignored.
Damage can expose wood, change how weight is distributed through the canopy, or reveal structural problems that weren’t apparent before the storm.
Having the tree evaluated can help determine whether it needs pruning, additional monitoring, or removal.
Storm Cleanup in Topeka, Lawrence, Ottawa & Eastern Kansas
Trenary’s Tree Care provides professional storm cleanup throughout Topeka, Lawrence, Ottawa, and surrounding Eastern Kansas communities.
Our experienced team can remove fallen trees and damaged limbs, clear debris and access areas, and evaluate remaining trees for potential safety concerns. If a damaged tree can be safely maintained, we’ll explain your options. If removal is necessary, we have the equipment and experience to handle the work safely.
Dealing with tree damage after a storm?