After a storm passes, the danger is not always over. Hung-up branches, split trunks, leaning trees and loosened root plates can fail hours or even days after the event. Plumridge Tree Experts provides post-storm tree safety inspections and securing services across the Brussels region, helping homeowners and property managers identify and address hidden dangers before they cause harm.
Why post-storm tree assessment is essential
Storm damage to trees is not always obvious. While a fallen tree across the driveway is hard to miss, many storm-related defects are subtle and easy to overlook:
- Hung-up branches: large limbs broken loose but caught in the canopy — commonly called “widow-makers” because they can fall without warning.
- Partially split trunks: a crack may have opened during the storm and closed again when the wind dropped, making it nearly invisible from the ground.
- Root plate movement: the tree may have rocked in the wind, loosening its anchorage without fully uprooting. The soil may show slight heaving on one side.
- Internal damage: storm forces can cause internal fractures in the trunk or major limbs that are not visible externally.
- Compromised co-dominant stems: a fork that survived the storm may have had its bark inclusion worsened, making it more likely to fail in the next event.
A post-storm inspection by a qualified arborist identifies these hidden risks so they can be addressed before the next storm — or before someone walks beneath the tree.
Our post-storm services
Rapid safety inspection
A Plumridge arborist inspects your trees within days of a storm event, looking for:
- Hung-up branches in the crown.
- Fresh cracks or splits in trunks and main branches.
- Root plate movement or soil heaving.
- Broken branches still partially attached.
- Changes in lean or crown asymmetry.
- New fungal activity at the base (indicating stressed or damaged roots).
You receive a clear, prioritised report: what needs immediate attention, what can wait and what is safe.
Immediate securing works
For urgent hazards identified during the inspection:
- Removal of hung-up branches: our climbers access the crown and safely remove or lower any suspended limbs.
- Removal of split or broken branches: clean cuts at the appropriate point to prevent further tearing and promote healing.
- Temporary propping or bracing: for leaning trees or split forks that are not yet critical, temporary support can buy time while a long-term solution is planned.
- Crown reduction: reducing the canopy’s wind-sail effect to lower the risk of further failure in subsequent storms.
Full storm damage remediation
Once the immediate dangers are addressed, we work with you on a longer-term plan:
- Restorative pruning: reshaping storm-damaged crowns to promote recovery and reduce the risk of secondary infections entering through wounds.
- Cable and brace installation: permanent support systems for weakened forks or heavy limbs that are worth preserving.
- Selective removal: trees that sustained irreparable damage may need to be removed before the next storm season.
- Replanting advice: if trees are lost, we can advise on suitable replacements — species that are better adapted to wind exposure.
Post-storm safety for property managers
If you manage a residential complex, school, park or commercial property, your duty of care requires prompt action after a storm:
- Inspect all trees on the property — or have a professional do it.
- Close off areas beneath trees with visible damage until they have been assessed.
- Document all storm damage and remedial actions taken — this is essential for liability protection.
Plumridge can carry out a systematic post-storm survey of all trees on your site, delivering a prioritised action plan.
Regulations after storm damage
- Emergency removal: trees posing immediate danger can be removed without prior planning permission in the Brussels-Capital Region and Walloon Region. The danger must be documented and the municipality notified afterwards.
- Nesting season: emergency safety works are permitted during the 1 April – 15 August nesting period when there is a genuine risk to people or property.
- Insurance: most Belgian home insurance policies cover storm damage. Plumridge provides detailed documentation (photographs, reports) to support your claim.
Storm-prone tree species in Belgium
Some species are more vulnerable to storm damage than others. Knowing what is in your garden helps you prepare:
- Poplar (Populus spp.): fast-growing, brittle wood, shallow roots — the most common failure species in Belgian storms.
- Spruce (Picea abies): shallow-rooted and evergreen (high wind resistance), frequently uprooted in storms.
- Birch (Betula pendula): shallow roots and flexible trunks — prone to uprooting on waterlogged soils.
- Willow (Salix spp.): fast growth produces weak wood that splits easily.
- Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum): heavy limbs and included bark forks make large branches vulnerable.
Species like oak, beech and hornbeam, while not immune to storm damage, generally have stronger wood and deeper roots, making them more wind-resistant.
Preparing for the next storm
Plumridge recommends a proactive approach to storm resilience:
- Annual visual check: walk around your garden after leaf fall and look for dead branches, cracks and fungi.
- Professional inspection every 3–5 years: for mature trees, especially those near buildings or high-use areas.
- Proactive pruning: crown thinning reduces wind load; deadwooding removes falling hazards.
- Remove high-risk trees in advance: a planned removal in good weather is safer, cheaper and less disruptive than an emergency after a storm.
Why choose Plumridge for post-storm tree safety
- Rapid deployment: we prioritise post-storm assessments to identify risks before they cause harm.
- Diagnostic expertise: our arborists are trained to spot hidden storm damage that others miss.
- Full-service capability: from inspection through securing, pruning, removal and replanting.
- Insurance documentation: photographs, reports and invoices formatted for straightforward claims.
- English-speaking: clear communication for Brussels’s international community.
- Locally based: Linkebeek, at the heart of the southern Brussels belt.
After the storm — call Plumridge
Do not assume your trees are safe just because they are still standing. Contact Plumridge for a post-storm safety inspection.
📞 +32 2 372 0452 — Better safe than sorry.
Frequently asked questions
How soon after a storm should trees be inspected?
As soon as it is safe to go outside. Do a visual check yourself from a distance — if you see hung-up branches, leaning trees or cracks, stay clear and call us. We aim to carry out professional inspections within 48 hours of a major storm event.
My tree is leaning more than before the storm — is it dangerous?
A new or increased lean after a storm is a serious sign. It indicates root plate movement. Stay clear of the tree’s potential fall zone and contact us immediately for assessment.
Will my insurance cover post-storm tree work?
Most Belgian home insurance policies cover storm damage, including the cost of removing fallen or dangerous trees. Some policies also cover the cost of stump grinding and replanting. Check your policy or contact your broker — Plumridge provides the documentation you need for the claim.
Can a storm-damaged tree recover?
Many trees recover well from storm damage with proper restorative pruning. The key is to act quickly: clean up torn wounds, remove hung-up branches and reshape the crown to promote balanced regrowth. Trees that have lost more than 50 % of their crown or sustained major trunk splits may be beyond saving.