If you’ve lived in Louisville for a minute, you know our storms don’t mess around. Wind, heavy rain, the occasional surprise tornado warning—it all happens. And while we’re out here tying down patio furniture, our trees? They’ve got their own kind of prepping to do.

Here’s how to make sure your trees can take a hit—and bounce back.

Tree Prep That Actually Works

1. Prune What’s Loose or Wobbly
Dead limbs, hanging branches, overgrown spots—they’re the first to go when the wind picks up. A quick pruning can save your fence, your roof, or your neighbor’s car. (Ask us how we know.)

2. Check the Roots
Storms don’t just test branches—they mess with the base. If the roots aren’t healthy, a strong gust can tip the whole thing over. Look for signs of decay, pooling water, or soft ground around the trunk.

3. Cabling + Bracing
Got a tree that’s big but a little… off-center? That’s where cabling and bracing come in. Think of it like giving your tree some backup support. Especially helpful for older trees that are still standing strong, just not perfectly balanced.

What We Do at New Leaf

We offer full-on storm prep inspections. We’ll walk your yard, spot trouble early, and recommend what makes sense—whether it’s a small trim or adding structural support.

And after a big storm? We handle emergency cleanups too. Fast. Safe. No drama.

After the Storm: What to Watch For

If a storm’s just rolled through, take a slow walk around your property. Look for:

• Split trunks

• Cracked limbs

• Trees leaning that weren’t before

• Branches hanging by a thread

Don’t try to climb or cut anything questionable. That’s how people end up on the evening news.

Community Matters Too

We’re all connected—your tree falling across the fence can become your neighbor’s headache real quick. Being proactive helps the whole block stay safe and keeps our local canopy healthy long-term.

Want to go bigger? Get involved with local programs that promote storm-resilient trees. The more we prep together, the stronger we all are.

Wrapping Up

Storm season doesn’t have to be stressful. A little prep now can save you from expensive cleanups (and insurance headaches) later. If you’re not sure where to start, let New Leaf take a look.

We’ve seen it all—and we’ve got your back.

Tree Joke of the Day

Q: What did the tree say after the storm passed?
A: “Still standing. Bit shaken. Definitely stirred.”