Arizona Monsoon Tree Damage: What to Do Before and After the Storm

Arizona monsoon storms can go from a calm afternoon to intense wind, dust, lightning, and rain surprisingly fast. For our trees, the rain is often welcome—the wind is another story. Phoenix’s monsoon season runs from June 15 through September 30, with storms typically peaking from mid-July through mid-August. The best time to think about storm damage isn’t when a branch is already lying across the driveway. A little preparation, along with understanding how trees respond to wind, can reduce risk and help you make better decisions after a storm.

One of the biggest misconceptions about storm preparation is that a tree needs to be heavily “thinned out” so wind can pass through it. Some selective pruning can improve structure, but removing too much canopy can create entirely different problems. Leaves produce the energy a tree needs, and Arizona’s intense summer sun can damage trunks and branches that suddenly become exposed after excessive pruning. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension recommends avoiding heavy pruning of most trees during August unless you’re addressing monsoon damage. The goal should not be to make a tree as thin as possible. The goal is good structure.

Good storm preparation actually begins years before the storm. Trees that receive thoughtful structural pruning while young can develop better branch spacing, stronger attachments, and a more appropriate form as they mature. Mature trees should be inspected for dead branches, previous failures, cracked or weak unions, rubbing or crossing branches, excessive end weight, and other structural concerns. Just as important is the root system. A beautiful canopy means very little if the tree has poor rooting, compromised roots, or irrigation concentrated in a tiny area near the trunk. Storm resistance involves the whole tree—from the roots in the ground to the tips of the branches.

Another thing homeowners sometimes don’t realize is that a tree can be damaged without completely failing during the storm. A large limb may crack but remain suspended in the canopy. A branch union may partially separate. Roots can shift and the tree may develop a new lean. Broken branches can become tangled above the ground and fall later; University of Arizona Extension specifically warns about large suspended branches—sometimes called “widow makers”—and recommends professional removal when they threaten people, pets, or structures. That’s why a tree that appears to have “made it through the storm” can still deserve a closer inspection afterward.

If a tree is damaged, resist the temptation to immediately start cutting everything you can reach. First, look at the entire situation from a safe distance. Are there power lines involved? Is the tree leaning differently than before? Has the soil lifted or cracked around the root system? Are large branches suspended overhead? Has a major trunk or structural union split? Small, accessible branches may sometimes be manageable for a homeowner, but large broken limbs, overhead hazards, chainsaw work, climbing, and damage near utilities are situations where professional help is appropriate. And if electrical lines are involved, stay away and contact the appropriate utility or emergency service rather than attempting tree work yourself.

Storm cleanup also needs to consider the future tree, not just today’s debris pile. A broken limb should generally be corrected with an appropriate pruning cut rather than leaving a long stub or making a random cut simply because it is convenient. Avoid automatically “balancing” the tree by removing healthy branches from the opposite side. The loss of one major limb does not necessarily mean an equal amount should be removed somewhere else. Every additional cut removes living tissue and foliage the tree may need for recovery. Likewise, wound paints and pruning sealers generally should not be applied simply because a branch broke; University of Arizona guidance specifically advises against applying sealers to routine pruning cuts.

Perhaps the most important question after significant storm damage is not “Can we make this tree look normal again?” It is “Can this tree remain acceptably safe and healthy?” Some dramatic-looking damage can be corrected while preserving a valuable tree. Other failures expose serious structural problems that cannot reasonably be repaired. Species, age, overall health, location, remaining canopy, trunk condition, root stability, targets beneath the tree, and the percentage and location of the damage all matter. Sometimes preservation is the right decision; sometimes removal is the responsible one. That determination should be based on the entire tree rather than how frightening it looks immediately after the storm.

Finally, remember that storm preparation is an ongoing process—not an emergency service performed once every July. Appropriate irrigation, healthy roots, good structural pruning, periodic inspections, and choosing suitable tree species all contribute to long-term resilience. Phoenix encourages homeowners to prepare properties before monsoon storms by maintaining trees and vegetation, keeping drainage areas clear, and preparing for rapidly changing conditions. You cannot make any tree “storm-proof,” and even healthy, properly maintained trees can fail in extreme weather. But good tree care can reduce preventable problems and give your trees a better chance of handling Arizona’s next monsoon.

At Berkseth Quality Landscaping, our goal isn’t simply to cut branches—it’s to understand why a tree is behaving the way it is and make decisions that consider safety, structure, health, and the future of the tree. If one of your trees has suffered storm damage, or you’re concerned about how it might perform in the next monsoon, a professional inspection can help identify problems before they become much larger ones.

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