As summer thunderstorms move through the Roanoke Valley, tree service J&J Treewackers has issued seasonal guidance urging area property owners to inspect their trees for storm damage and hidden hazards before the next round of severe weather arrives. The tree service, staffed by ISA Certified Arborists, says the weeks following a strong storm are when compromised trees most often fail, and that early identification can prevent property damage and injury.
Summer storms across central Virginia bring high winds, saturated soil, and lightning, a combination that stresses even healthy trees. According to the firm, damage is not always obvious from the ground. A tree can appear intact while carrying cracked limbs, split trunks, or root problems that only a trained eye will catch.
The advisory outlines several warning signs residents can look for as conditions allow, always from a safe distance. Leaning is one of the clearest indicators. A tree that has recently shifted, or one with soil heaving or cracking near its base, may have suffered root failure and can come down without further warning. Hanging or broken branches, sometimes called widow-makers, pose a serious overhead risk and can drop long after a storm has passed. Large cracks in the trunk or major limbs, cavities, mushrooms or fungal growth at the base, and sudden dieback of leaves in one section of the canopy are additional signals that a tree may be failing.
The professional tree service cautions that proximity matters as much as condition. A damaged tree near a home, driveway, power line, or play area carries higher stakes than the same tree in an open field, and should be evaluated sooner. Residents are advised to keep clear of any tree touching or near a downed power line and to contact their utility rather than approach it.
J&J Treewackers emphasizes that risk assessment and removal of a compromised tree is work for a qualified professional rather than a do-it-yourself project. Storm-damaged trees are unpredictable, and limbs under tension can react violently when cut. Certification through the International Society of Arboriculture reflects training in tree biology, structural assessment, and safe rigging, which informs how a hazardous tree is judged and taken down without harm to people or nearby structures.
"After a storm, people naturally want to clean up fast, and that is exactly when the risk is highest," said Garth Landis, co-owner of J&J Treewackers. "A tree that looks stable can be holding a tremendous amount of stored energy. Our goal with this advisory is to help neighbors recognize the warning signs and understand when it is time to step back and call a certified arborist rather than reach for a chainsaw."
The firm recommends a straightforward seasonal routine. After each significant storm, property owners can walk the perimeter of their land in daylight and note anything that has changed since the previous inspection, including new leans, fresh cracks, exposed roots, or limbs that were not hanging before. Photographs taken over time help document gradual movement. When any warning sign appears on a tree close to a structure, the firm advises arranging a professional risk assessment rather than waiting for the problem to resolve on its own.
Timing also plays a role in cost and safety. Trees that are addressed while a hazard is still isolated are generally simpler and safer to manage than trees left until failure forces an emergency response in poor conditions. The firm notes that its arborists remain available for storm response across the Roanoke Valley through the summer months and can advise whether a tree warrants removal, corrective pruning, or continued monitoring.
The guidance is directed at homeowners, property managers, and businesses throughout Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, Troutville, Daleville, Smith Mountain Lake, and the surrounding communities the firm serves. More information on hazard identification and the firm's services is available through J&J Treewackers.
About J&J Treewackers
Founded in 2001, J&J Treewackers is a family and partner-run tree care company serving the Roanoke Valley in Virginia. The firm provides tree removal, trimming and pruning, stump grinding, tree risk and disease assessment, and around-the-clock emergency storm response, performed by ISA Certified Arborists who are licensed and insured.
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For more information about J&J Treewackers, contact the company here:
J&J Treewackers
Garth Landis
(540) 588-8832
info@jjtreewackers.com
4451 Joppa Mill Road, Moneta, VA 24121
