By Rachel Anderson, Extension Educator in Lancaster County
Storms with wind speeds reaching 91 miles per hour brought down large tree limbs in Lincoln on August 9, 2025. Photo by Brian Dieterman.
Droughts, floods, heat waves, thunderstorms, tornadoes, wildfires, blizzards, cold snaps and lightning strikes are examples of Great Plains weather which can reshape landscapes. Lancaster County trees are no stranger to such events, having faced extreme weather once or twice a month since 2015.
While storms play an important ecological role in many grassland and woodland habitats, the associated damage and dieback can cause problems where we live. Trees located near roads, structures and power lines especially deserve our concern because of risks to safety and property. Luckily, there are things we can do to help trees grow more resilient and weather-ready. Follow these 10 best practices to help your trees stand up to storms while providing their many benefits for years to come.
1. It is critical to prune trees correctly when they’re young (4–20 years old) to prevent major limb breakage and other problems later. Refer to https://treesaregood.org for tips on developing a strong, sturdy branch structure as your trees mature.
2. Growing a tree in a mulched area, rather than in the lawn, is often incredibly beneficial to its overall health at any age. Maintain at least a six-foot diameter ring of hardwood mulch 3–5 inches deep all the way around the tree, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk. Underplant with shrubs, flowers, bulbs or groundcovers as desired.
3. Protect trees from damage by lawn mowers and trimmers, as well as from rabbits, squirrels, deer, etc. It only takes one time for a young or thin-barked trunk to suffer serious permanent injury, so stake, cage or wrap appropriately from the start.
4. Refrain from any soil compaction or construction activities within the root zone of your trees. Earthwork, including cutting away soil or adding it, as well as driving or parking vehicles, should be avoided anywhere underneath a tree’s canopy.
5. Consider planting new trees next to existing trees where you have room, since trees in groups are more likely to come through a storm intact than lone specimens. Group trees in a cluster of five or more, each planted within 10 feet of another, but not in a line.
6. Select trees with dense wood and strong branching that are less susceptible to breakage — such as Kentucky coffeetree, white oak or persimmon — when planting near structures, leaving at least 15 feet of clearance. Consider slow growers over very fast-growing trees.
7. Do not extensively prune larger trees just to “thin” them out or “open” up their canopy. Unnecessary thinning is a common malpractice on larger trees that weakens them and can increase likelihood of whole tree failure.
8. If a tree was planted too deep or is being strangled by one of its own roots, it has a worse chance of surviving a storm. Watch for these common mistakes at planting time, whether you are doing it yourself or hiring out. The trunk flare should be completely exposed above ground, and any circling roots should be cut or redirected outward before filling the hole.
9. Identify species like willow, cottonwood, silver maple, ornamental pear and honeylocust that are more prone to damage from storms and develop a pruning plan for these trees. A tree care professional could be of help.
10. Monitor your trees regularly for signs of decay as well as for co-dominant leaders, included bark or acute branch angles. Address issues as you see them.