Australia’s storms can be devastating to trees. High winds, heavy rain, lightning, and hail can snap branches, uproot entire trees, and leave your property looking like a disaster zone. This guide walks you through what to do after storm damage, how to assess your trees, and how to handle the insurance side of things.
Assessing Storm Damage Safely
After a storm passes, resist the urge to rush outside and start cleaning up. Take these precautions first:
- Look for downed power lines – Fallen lines can be hidden under branches and debris. If you see any wires, stay well clear and call your power distributor or 000.
- Check for hanging branches – Known as widow-makers, partially detached branches can fall without warning. Do not walk or stand under damaged trees.
- Assess structural damage – If a tree has hit your home, do not enter until a building professional confirms it is safe.
Once it is safe to inspect, photograph all damage thoroughly from multiple angles. This documentation is essential for insurance purposes.
Types of Storm Damage to Trees
Storm damage varies in severity, and the appropriate response depends on the extent:
- Minor branch breakage – Small branches under 10 cm diameter can often be pruned cleanly. The tree will typically recover well.
- Major limb failure – Loss of large branches compromises the tree’s structure. An arborist needs to assess whether the tree can be saved.
- Crown twist or split – High winds can twist the crown or split the trunk at a major fork. This is often fatal to the tree.
- Root plate failure – When a tree uproots entirely, it cannot be replanted. Full tree removal is required.
- Lightning strike – Lightning can explode bark, split trunks, and kill trees instantly or over the following weeks.
Cleanup and Recovery
For anything beyond small broken branches on the ground, professional help is strongly recommended. Emergency tree removal crews have the training, equipment, and insurance to handle hazardous storm cleanup safely.
Trees that have suffered moderate damage may still be saveable. A qualified arborist can perform remedial pruning to remove damaged sections while preserving as much healthy structure as possible. In some cases, cabling or bracing can support weakened limbs.
Navigating Insurance Claims
Most Australian home insurance policies cover storm damage to insured structures caused by fallen trees. However, the details vary between policies. Key points to understand include:
- Coverage typically applies when a tree falls on your house, garage, fence, or other insured structure.
- Removal of a fallen tree that has not damaged any structure may not be covered.
- Trees that were clearly dead or poorly maintained before the storm may be excluded under policy conditions about property maintenance.
- Your excess or deductible still applies to storm damage claims.
Keep detailed records of all correspondence, quotes, invoices, and photos. If you are unsure whether damage was caused by a pre-existing tree defect or the storm itself, an arborist report can clarify this for your insurer.
Reducing Future Storm Risk
Regular tree inspections and maintenance pruning are the best defence against storm damage. An annual check by a qualified arborist can identify weak points, deadwood, and structural issues before the next storm season. Understanding the signs of when emergency tree removal is needed also helps you act quickly when conditions deteriorate.
If your property has suffered storm damage, do not delay. Connect with qualified arborists in your area to get the cleanup underway and protect your property from further harm.