As fall arrives in Maryland, homeowners have an important opportunity to prepare their properties for the colder months ahead. One of the most effective ways to help protect your home, family, and landscape is to have your trees professionally inspected and pruned before winter weather sets in.

This year, our local communities have experienced some particularly damaging summer storms. Powerful winds, heavy rain, and sudden thunderstorms have taken a toll on our area's tree canopy, leaving broken branches, damaged limbs, and weakened trees throughout Anne Arundel County and surrounding communities.

At Arundel Tree Service, we've seen firsthand why proactive tree care matters. While we can't control the weather, we can take steps to identify potential hazards and reduce the risk of tree-related damage before the next major storm arrives.

Our region's trees provide tremendous benefits. They offer shade, improve curb appeal, support local wildlife, and make our neighborhoods more beautiful. Unfortunately, severe summer weather can cause significant damage, even to trees that appear healthy at first glance.

Recent storms across Anne Arundel County brought damaging winds that toppled trees, broke large limbs, and caused property damage in communities including Pasadena and Riviera Beach. These events are a reminder of just how quickly severe weather can turn a seemingly ordinary tree into a serious hazard.

Even when a tree remains standing after a storm, it may have sustained hidden damage. Cracked branches, weakened attachments, split limbs, and damaged root systems can go unnoticed from the ground. Some damaged limbs may remain suspended in the canopy for weeks before eventually falling.

As we transition into winter, snow, ice, and additional high winds can place even more stress on trees that have already been weakened.

The best time to address many tree hazards is before the next storm — not after a branch falls on your roof, vehicle, or driveway.

Professional pruning is about much more than making a tree look neat. When performed correctly, it helps maintain tree health, improve structure, and identify potential hazards before they become emergencies.

Deadwood and storm-damaged branches are among the first things a professional tree inspection should address. These limbs may break during high winds or under the weight of snow and ice.

Removing hazardous branches can reduce the likelihood of falling limbs damaging your home, vehicles, fences, sheds, or other property.

After a stormy summer, it is especially important to have trees inspected for damage that may not be visible from the ground.

Winter weather can be tough on trees. Wet snow and ice add substantial weight to branches, while strong winds can place additional strain on weak or poorly attached limbs.

A qualified tree care professional can identify structural weaknesses, crossing branches, and other conditions that may increase the risk of branch failure.

Selective pruning can help address these concerns while preserving the tree's natural shape and structure. Although no pruning can make a tree completely storm-proof, proper maintenance can help reduce certain risks.

Large trees add beauty and value to a property, but branches growing over roofs, garages, driveways, and walkways deserve special attention.

A broken limb can damage shingles, gutters, siding, vehicles, and outdoor structures. Falling branches can also block driveways or create dangerous conditions around your home.

Professional pruning can remove hazardous limbs and address branches that pose a concern for nearby structures. A tree expert can also evaluate whether a tree has deeper structural problems that require additional attention.

Not all storm damage is obvious. A tree may look perfectly fine from a distance while concealing a cracked limb, a split union where two major branches meet, or damage to its trunk.

A professional inspection can help identify these problems before winter weather adds more stress.

Our team can evaluate the condition of your trees and recommend appropriate next steps, whether that means selective pruning, additional monitoring, or removal of a tree that presents an unacceptable hazard.

Proper pruning can improve a tree's structure and help it develop stronger growth over time. Removing dead, diseased, or poorly positioned branches can also help limit certain problems and improve the tree's overall form.

However, more pruning is not always better. Excessive cutting can weaken trees, create large wounds, and encourage undesirable growth.

That's why professional judgment matters. Every tree is different, and the right pruning approach depends on its species, age, condition, location, and growing environment.

When homeowners notice broken or overhanging branches, it can be tempting to grab a ladder and take care of the problem themselves. Unfortunately, tree work can be extremely dangerous, especially when dealing with large limbs, elevated branches, or trees that have been damaged by severe weather.

Branches under tension can move unexpectedly when cut, and climbing or working near power lines creates serious risks. Improper cutting can also damage a tree and make future failures more likely.

Professional tree crews have the training, equipment, and experience needed to evaluate and address these hazards safely.

At Arundel Tree Service, our team uses specialized equipment, including bucket trucks, spider lifts, and cranes when appropriate, to handle challenging tree care projects.

Please leave hazardous, elevated, or storm-damaged limbs to trained professionals. Never attempt to remove branches that are touching or near power lines. Contact your utility company about electrical hazards.

For many trees, fall can be an excellent time to schedule an inspection and address hazardous or damaged branches. However, the ideal pruning time varies depending on the tree species, its condition, and the type of work required.

Some trees benefit from pruning during dormancy, while dead, broken, or dangerous branches may need attention regardless of the season.

After a summer of severe storms, waiting until winter is underway may leave your property exposed to avoidable hazards.

The important first step is to have a qualified professional assess your trees and recommend the appropriate timing and scope of work.

Before winter arrives, take a look at the trees around your property from a safe location. Watch for warning signs such as:

• Dead branches or large limbs hanging loosely in the canopy
• Cracks where major branches attach to the trunk
• Splits in the trunk or visible wounds caused by storm damage
• Trees that have developed a new lean or show signs of disturbed soil around their roots
• Branches extending over your roof, driveway, garage, or other frequently used areas

These signs do not automatically mean a tree must be removed, but they should not be ignored.

If you notice a hanging limb, a newly leaning tree, or a significant crack, keep people away from the area and arrange for a professional assessment. If a tree or branch is in contact with a power line, stay clear and contact the utility company.

At Arundel Tree Service, we understand the trees, neighborhoods, and weather challenges that homeowners throughout our region face. Since 1999, our team has provided professional tree care to residential and commercial customers across Maryland and Delaware.

We are a family-owned company with Maryland Licensed Tree Experts on staff, and we take pride in helping property owners make informed decisions about their trees.

Our tree care services include:

• Professional tree pruning and trimming
• Deadwood and hazardous limb removal
• Storm damage assessments and cleanup
• Tree removal when necessary
• Specialized equipment for difficult-to-access trees and complex jobs

Whether your trees need routine maintenance or a closer inspection following this summer's storms, our goal is to help you maintain a safer property while preserving healthy trees whenever possible.

Winter weather can arrive quickly, and the damage left behind by summer storms may not become apparent until the next round of high winds, snow, or ice.

Taking care of potential tree hazards now can help you avoid unexpected problems later.

If you have large trees near your home, noticed broken branches after recent storms, or simply haven't had your trees inspected in a while, now is a great time to schedule professional tree care.

Contact Arundel Tree Service today for a free estimate. Call us at (410) 439-1900 or visit www.ArundelTreeService.com.

Serving homeowners throughout Anne Arundel County and surrounding Maryland and Delaware communities.

Don't wait for the next storm to discover a problem with your trees. Let our team help you prepare your property for winter.