You don’t have to live near the coast to deal with destructively powerful winds. Some severe thunderstorms that form and travel through inland states can bring gale-force winds that destroy buildings and trees. But just how much wind can a tree withstand?
Tree Care Inc.’s crew of experienced arborists has seen its fair share of wind damage to trees. We’ll identify the necessary force to harm a tree and how you might protect your specimens from severe injuries below.
Understanding the Damage That Windstorms Can Do to Trees
Tree wind resistance depends on the specimen’s health, root security, and age. Older, more established trees have stronger, more solid trunks. They can typically withstand more powerful winds than a young, skinny sapling.
However, tree damage caused by winds doesn’t always cause certain death. Let’s explore some injury examples below.
Branch Damage
The limbs are arguably the most vulnerable parts of a tree, especially older ones that are more exposed to high winds. Mature specimens can grow branches horizontally, which puts those particular limbs at risk. Meanwhile, smaller, younger specimens typically grow branches closer to their trunks, giving them extra resistance and security.
A broken branch isn’t necessarily a tree health disaster. However, the wound exposes the specimen to natural elements, pests, and diseases that may take advantage of the vulnerability.
Trunk Damage
How much wind can a tree withstand before the trunk breaks? A sudden, swift gust of wind could cause a tree to snap at its trunk.
Hurricanes and EF1+ tornadoes can reach well over 100 miles per hour. Trees with narrow trunks will almost certainly succumb to such forces. Even bigger trees with broad trunks may not survive the intense and constant pressure.
Uprooting
Some windstorms might even completely uproot a tree from the ground, especially if its root system has already incurred damage or injury before the storm. Issues that can cause a tree to completely uproot in the wind include:
- Dry, powdery soil to which the tree cannot securely anchor itself
- Excessively damp soil that has loosened from too much rainfall
- Fungal infections or pests that target the root system
- Young, recently planted trees that haven’t had time to establish their root systems
- Already dead specimens with weak, brittle root tissues
It’s rare for a windstorm to uproot a completely healthy specimen unless the wind speeds reach hurricane-level speeds.
How Much Wind Can a Tree Withstand?
So, what wind speeds can your trees realistically survive before you need post-storm cleanup and possible limb pruning? Most trees can survive wind speeds of 60 miles per hour or lower.
How much wind can a tree withstand before you need storm damage tree removal? Older, more mature specimens might survive stronger winds. However, any speed above 70 miles per hour can push a tree to the ground, killing it in the process.
You Can Protect Your Trees From Strong Winds
How can you prevent forceful winds from injuring or killing your favorite trees? Once the winds reach a certain speed, you can’t do much to protect your specimens beyond hoping they make it. But you can still prepare for storms bringing wind speeds under 70 miles per hour.
Our team recommends starting with wind-resistant tree species. These specimens might survive a higher speed threshold than their counterparts. As for the trees currently growing on your property, you might increase their chances of survival by doing the following.
Annual Pruning Services
One of the most common types of wind-related tree damage is broken limbs that leave nasty trunk wounds. The breakage may not immediately kill the tree, but it can without professional attention. Pruning and trimming services aren’t just for removing dead limbs.
They are also essential for a well-rounded storm damage prevention plan. Your arborist can identify and remove branches that stick out too far and don’t serve the tree. They can also thin the canopy to reduce crown density.
These practices eliminate horizontal limbs that might act as wind catchers. A healthier crown density enables the wind to rush through the tree with less resistance. These pruning practices will protect your tree from future storms that produce extreme wind speeds.
Proper Soil Preparation
How much wind can a tree withstand without sturdy roots or dense soil? It lacks adequate high wind tolerance because the roots, which stabilize the whole structure, are weak and loose. The soil won’t help hold it down.
You can strengthen the root system and encourage widely established growth by fertilizing the soil. When you plant a new tree, ensure the soil remains hydrated so the root system spreads, deepens, and secures itself within the ground. Secure roots hold trees in place, preventing them from fully uprooting.
Disease and Pest Prevention
Opportunistic bacteria, fungi, and insects can significantly impact a tree’s security. They attack different parts of the specimen’s structure, depending on where they originate. Diseases and pests weaken the living wood from the inside out, making the specimen more susceptible to wind damage.
Address any notable infestations or diseases as soon as you discover them. Provide the sickly tree with additional resources so it can heal and recover. Sick trees are more likely to succumb to strong forces like high-impact winds.
Structural Supports
Some specimens need support to enhance the structural tree integrity, including:
- Trees with poorly healed trunk wounds
- Trees with two main trunks growing from a single base
- Young trees that lack established root systems
Cabling and bracing for mature, poorly formed specimens, as well as tie-downs for younger trees, increase their chances of surviving forceful windstorms.
Contact Tree Care Inc. for Advice on Growing Strong Trees That Can Survive Severe Weather
How much wind can a tree withstand? The average specimen can survive winds up to 60 miles per hour with little assistance. However, you need to keep the tree healthy with help from Tree Care Inc.If your tree gets uprooted by wind, you can depend on our team to help you clean it up. Contact us to learn about our tree and land services.
