Winter Storm Tree Prep in the Salt Lake Valley
Get your trees ready before the snow flies — and know exactly what to do when a storm hits. Strong Roots Co. is available 24/7 for everything, all winter long.
Before the Storm: What to Do This Fall
An hour of prevention in October beats a midnight emergency in January. Here’s how to get your trees winter-ready.
Utah winters punish weak trees. Heavy, wet snow loads snap dead limbs, canyon winds tear at cracked branches, and freeze-thaw cycles split trunks that were already stressed. The good news: most storm damage is preventable. A fall walkaround of your property — looking up, not just around — catches the problems that turn into emergencies.
- Remove dead and weak limbs. Deadwood is the first thing to break in a snowstorm. Professional trimming takes the weight off before winter does it for you.
- Check for leaners. A tree that’s developed a new lean, or an old lean that’s getting worse, is telling you something. Get it assessed before the snow loads it further.
- Look for cracks, cavities, and fungus. Splits in the trunk, hollow spots, and mushrooms growing at the base all signal internal decay — the hidden cause of most “surprise” winter failures.
- Clear limbs over roofs and driveways. Anything hanging over your house, garage, or where you park deserves clearance trimming before storm season.
One thing not to do: never “top” a tree to make it shorter before winter. Topping creates weak, fast-growing shoots that break even easier in snow and wind — it makes the problem worse, not better. Proper crown thinning and deadwood removal is the right call, and it’s work we do all fall. Every assessment starts with a free estimate: call or text (801) 330-1444.
During the Storm: Stay Safe
When the wind is howling and the snow is piling up, your job is simple: stay safe and stay inside.
- Never touch downed power lines — or any tree touching them. Call 911 first, then us.
- Don’t try to cut a fallen tree in high wind. Storm-loaded limbs are under tension and kick back unpredictably. Wait for the pros.
- Keep people and cars away from leaning trees until they’ve been assessed.
- Take photos when it’s safe. Document damage from inside or at a distance — your insurance will thank you.
If a tree comes down on your home, driveway, or car during a storm, call or text (801) 330-1444 right away — we’re available 24/7 for everything, and storm emergencies jump to the front of the line. Learn about our emergency tree service →
After the Storm: What Comes Next
Once the storm passes, a careful walkaround tells you what needs attention — and what can wait.
Inspect From the Ground
Look for new leans, cracked limbs, hanging branches (widowmakers), and root plates lifting out of the soil. Don’t climb — storm-damaged trees are unpredictable.
Document Everything
Photograph all damage before cleanup begins — wide shots and close-ups. Many homeowner’s policies cover tree removal when a storm-damaged tree hits a covered structure.
Call Us 24/7
We triage after every major storm: trees on homes and blocked driveways first, then hazardous leaners, then general cleanup — around the clock until it’s done. (801) 330-1444
Don’t DIY the Dangerous Stuff
Small branches on the lawn? Fine. Anything on a roof, near power lines, or bigger than your arm? That’s professional work — one wrong cut can drop a limb through your roof.
Winter Tree Questions, Answered
The questions Utah homeowners ask us most every fall and winter.
When is the best time to trim trees before winter in Utah?
Fall is ideal — trimming dead and weak limbs before the first heavy snow takes the weight off your trees when they need it most. That said, we trim year-round in the Salt Lake Valley, so if you missed the fall window, call or text (801) 330-1444 and we’ll get you in.
What are the warning signs a tree won’t survive a snowstorm?
Watch for dead branches that don’t leaf out, cracks or splits in the trunk, a new or worsening lean, mushrooms or fungus growing at the base, and limbs that already broke in a past storm. If you see any of these, get the tree checked before winter — call or text (801) 330-1444 for a free estimate.
Should I knock snow off my tree branches?
For small shrubs, you can gently brush light snow off with a broom — but never yank on large limbs, climb a snow-loaded tree, or shake the trunk. If a big limb is straining under heavy, wet snow, stay clear and call us at (801) 330-1444. We’re available 24/7 for everything.
A tree fell on my house during a storm — what do I do first?
First, make sure everyone is safe and stay away from any downed power lines — never touch them; call 911 if lines are involved. Then take photos of the damage for your insurance, and call or text us at (801) 330-1444 any time, day or night. We respond to tree emergencies around the clock across the Salt Lake Valley and Park City.
Can you remove a tree that’s leaning after a storm but hasn’t fallen?
Yes — treat a new lean as an emergency and don’t wait for the next wind to finish the job. We’re available 24/7, and we’ll assess whether the tree can be saved or needs to come down safely. Call or text (801) 330-1444 any time.
Do you work during an active snowstorm?
We’re available 24/7 for everything, and we respond as soon as conditions safely allow — life-safety hazards like trees on homes and blocked driveways come first. If it’s unsafe to work in high winds or whiteout conditions, we’ll stage and roll the moment it’s safe. Call or text (801) 330-1444.
Will my homeowner’s insurance cover storm tree removal?
Many homeowner’s policies cover tree removal when a storm-damaged tree hits a covered structure like your house, garage, or fence — but every policy is different, so check yours. Document everything with photos before cleanup begins, and we’ll provide a clear invoice and description of the work for your claim. Call or text (801) 330-1444 and we’ll help you through it.
How fast can you get to me after a big storm?
We triage after every major storm: trees on homes and blocked driveways first, then hazardous leaners, then general cleanup — and we work around the clock until the backlog is clear. The fastest way to get in line is to call or text (801) 330-1444 the moment you need us.
Still have a question? Call or text (801) 330-1444 any time — we’re available 24/7 for everything. For urgent storm damage, head straight to our emergency tree service page →
Contact Us — Free Estimates
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