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Storm-Damaged Tree Cleanup
in Amarillo, TX
Amarillo gets ice storms in winter and severe thunderstorms with wind gusts above 70 miles per hour in spring. Both events break large branches that don't always fall all the way to the ground. They hang in the canopy, held up by other branches, and can drop at any time. A broken branch from one of the large cottonwoods common in neighborhoods like Sleepy Hollow can weigh several hundred pounds.
Quick Answer
After a Amarillo thunderstorm or ice storm, broken branches hung up in a tree are called widow-makers for a reason. They can fall days or weeks after the storm with no warning. The fix is getting a crew in to remove the hanging material and assess whether the tree itself can survive. Do not walk under a tree with hanging branches. Call (806) 310-7795 as soon as it's safe to do so.
Telltale Signs
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Branches visibly cracked or split but still hanging in the tree
- Large sections of canopy hanging at an odd angle
- Bark stripped in long vertical lines down the trunk
- Branches resting on the roof or fence
- The trunk has a visible split near the base or a main crotch
- Chains or cables from a previous repair are now exposed and broken
Root Causes
What Causes Storm-Damaged Tree Cleanup?
Ice Load on Branches
A single ice storm in Amarillo can add over an inch of ice to every branch. That weight is often more than the branch union can hold, and it splits at the weakest point, which is usually where two main branches meet.
The Fix
Hanging Branch Removal and Crown Cleaning
Each hanging piece has to be rigged down with ropes so it doesn't fall freely and cause more damage. After the obvious hazards are gone, the remaining crown gets looked over for cracks that aren't yet visible from the ground.
High Wind Shear
When winds come in hard from the west, as they often do across the Amarillo area in spring, they hit the full side of a tree canopy and twist or snap branches at the attachment point. Trees with included bark at the crotch are especially likely to split.
The Fix
Emergency Branch Removal and Tree Assessment
Broken branches are cut back to the nearest healthy collar, which is the ring of tissue where the branch meets the trunk. Cutting back to a collar helps the tree seal the wound instead of letting rot start there.
Pre-Existing Decay at Break Points
A branch that was already rotting inside breaks in conditions that a healthy branch would survive. Amarillo trees stressed by drought are more likely to have internal decay, which often isn't visible until a storm reveals it.
The Fix
Targeted Branch Removal and Trunk Inspection
After hanging branches are down, the remaining stubs and trunk get probed for soft wood or hollow sections. A tree with extensive internal decay may need full removal even if it looks okay from the outside.
Self-Diagnosis
Which Cause Applies to You?
Check the signs you're observing to narrow down the likely root cause before your inspection.
| What You're Seeing | Ice Load on Branches | High Wind Shear | Pre-Existing Decay at Break Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage occurred during an ice event in winter | |||
| Multiple large branches down all pointing the same direction | |||
| Break point is soft and punky when you poke it | |||
| Branches snapped at a crotch where bark was pushing inward | |||
| Whole sections of the tree came down despite the storm being moderate |
Free Inspection
Get a Diagnosis in Amarillo
An on-site inspection is the only way to confirm which cause applies to your property. Free, no obligation.
(806) 310-7795Free on-site inspection
Written estimate before work starts
Serving Amarillo & surrounding areas
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