How to Prep Your Trees for Tornado Season

Georgia has seen its fair share of tornado watches and severe weather alerts I the past couple of weeks. If you live here, you already know how unpredictable storm season can be. With little to no warning, powerful winds from hurricanes and tornadoes can sweep through, leaving behind serious destruction—and often billions of dollars in damage. That’s why early preparation is key. Storm season doesn’t wait, and neither should you. Whether it’s a hurricane making its way inland or a sudden tornado spinning across the landscape, taking proactive steps before the season hits can minimize property damage, protect your home, and even save lives.

When Is Hurricane and Tornado Season in Georgia?

Knowing when storm season begins is the first step in getting ahead. While Hurricane season on the East Coast, including Georgia, runs from June through November, Tornado season in Georgia is most active between March and May, though severe weather can occur outside this window as well! Planning ahead of these months gives your home and trees the best chance of weathering whatever comes your way.

Are Some Trees More Storm-Resistant Than Others?

Absolutely. Native trees, especially those that have thrived in Georgia for centuries, tend to handle our climate’s intense storms better than exotic or fast-growing species. Why? Native trees have adapted to the local conditions and root systems, and they’re naturally more durable. Trees grouped together in sets of five or more tend to resist high winds better than isolated ones. When planting, consider this strategic layout for better storm resilience.

How to Storm-Proof Your Trees and Landscape

It’s impossible to guarantee a tree’s survival when facing Category 3 hurricane winds or F2 tornado gusts (both reaching 115-150 mph), but smart preparation can reduce the risk of trees failing and causing major damage. We'll take a look at 3 ways you can prepare your backyard for a potential tornado threat.

1. Prune the Trees

Start by having your trees inspected by a certified arborist—not just anyone with a chainsaw.

Professional pruning can:

Thin out the canopy to reduce wind resistance and turbulence.
Remove dead, decayed, or broken limbs that are likely to fall.
Trim branches too close to your home, decreasing the risk of structural damage.

By getting ahead of pruning before the winds arrive, you give your trees a better shot at standing strong—and keep your home safer in the process.

2. Calmly Cable

Sometimes, a tree doesn’t need removal—it just needs support. An arborist can install flexible steel cables and heavy brace rods to support weak limbs, split trunks, or heavy branches. These reinforcements:

Help trees hold together during violent winds.
Prevent large limbs from crashing down.
Improve the tree’s structural integrity year-round, even under the weight of snow or dense foliage.

3. Boost the Roots

Your trees' strength starts underground. A healthy root system can mean the difference between a tree that holds its ground and one that topples over.

To build a better root base you should:

Fertilize regularly to deliver nutrients right where they’re needed.
Mulch around the base to conserve moisture, reduce weeds, and improve soil quality.
Water deeply during dry periods.
Use decompaction techniques to break up compacted soil and encourage deeper root growth. (Trees with stronger roots are better anchored and more resilient when the wind picks up.)

Prep Now—Not Later

Severe weather in Georgia isn’t a matter of if, but when. From Savannah to Macon, and from Atlanta to Columbus, smart homeowners are taking action before hurricane and tornado seasons hit. Let the Canopy Keepers Tree Care LLC help you prepare your property for the next storm. Our certified arborists offer expert tree inspections, pruning, cabling, and root care to give your trees the best chance at surviving nature’s toughest tests.

Contact Canopy Keepers Tree Care LLC today to schedule your storm prep service and keep your home safe, one tree at a time.