Here’s where a lot of well-meaning homeowners make a critical mistake. They think that cutting a tree way back—what we call “topping” or “hat-racking”—will make it safer in a storm. The opposite is actually true, and I’ll explain why in a moment. First, let’s talk about what hurricane pruning should actually accomplish.

The goal of proper tree trimming before storm season is to allow wind to pass through the canopy rather than pushing against it like a solid wall. Think of it like opening windows during a storm to equalize pressure—you want to create pathways for wind to flow through, reducing the force on the trunk and root system.

What You SHOULD Do: Thinning

Proper thinning involves selectively removing certain branches throughout the canopy to reduce density while maintaining the tree’s natural shape and structure. This means removing some interior branches to open up the crown, reducing the weight on long horizontal limbs, and eliminating crossing or rubbing branches that create weak points. The key word here is “selective”—you’re not just randomly chopping branches, you’re making strategic cuts that improve the tree’s wind resistance while keeping it healthy.

For small branches (smaller than your wrist) on younger trees, this is something a confident homeowner might tackle with proper tools and safety equipment. But even then, knowing which branches to remove requires some knowledge of tree biology and structure.

What You Should NEVER Do: Topping

Tree topping—cutting all the branches back to stubs or removing the entire top of the tree—is one of the worst things you can do to a tree, despite how common it is. Here’s why: when you top a tree, you remove all the food-producing leaves, sending it into survival mode. The tree responds by rapidly producing weak, poorly-attached sprouts from the cut ends. These new branches grow fast but are actually MORE likely to break in a storm than the original branches would have been. Plus, the large topping cuts create entry points for decay and disease, weakening the entire tree structure.

I’ve seen countless trees that were topped “for safety” before a storm end up completely failing during the next hurricane, while their properly pruned neighbors came through just fine. Don’t fall for this outdated, harmful practice.

Know When to Call a Professional

Let me be crystal clear about this: for any branch larger than your arm, any tree work near power lines, or any job that requires you to climb a ladder with a saw in your hand, you need to hire a certified arborist. Period.

Tree work is one of the most dangerous jobs in America, and it requires specialized knowledge, equipment, and experience to do safely. A certified arborist understands tree biology, proper pruning techniques, safety protocols, and has the insurance to protect you if something goes wrong. We use specialized climbing techniques (like spikeless climbing that doesn’t damage the tree), rigging systems to control falling branches, and follow the standards set by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).

The money you save by doing it yourself isn’t worth a trip to the emergency room—or worse. And improper pruning can cost you thousands in tree damage or removal down the road. Trust me on this one: when it comes to tree safety storm season, the pros exist for a reason.