Winter is when Perth trees are most likely to fail. From June to October, cold fronts bring strong winds and heavy rain, and weak or unbalanced trees drop limbs first. The fix: prepare trees before storms, spot the warning signs, and act safely when damage hits.
Winter is when Perth trees are most likely to fail. From June to October, cold fronts bring strong winds and heavy rain, and weak or unbalanced trees drop limbs first. The fix: prepare trees before storms, spot the warning signs, and act safely when damage hits.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Perth’s wild weather peaks in winter. From June to October, a run of cold fronts brings strong winds and gusts that test every tree. The State Emergency Service took 1,056 calls for assistance across this window last year, most for roof damage, fallen trees, and water ingress. Local soils don’t help: much of Perth sits on light sand that holds roots loosely, so saturated ground lets a top-heavy tree lean or uproot in one front.
The best storm repair is the work done beforehand. Well-pruned trees with balanced canopies catch less wind and shed fewer limbs, and late-autumn maintenance lets them settle before the first front. Focus on crown thinning, deadwood removal, and a stability check for lean or decay.
Leave anything past light hand-pruning to a qualified arborist. Our tree pruning and tree lopping teams shape canopies for Perth wind without over-cutting.
Some trees warn you well before a front hits. Walk your property after the first autumn rain and look for the red flags below. Spot even one, and book an assessment before storm season peaks.
This one catches many Perth homeowners out. If a tree on your property grows toward powerlines, keeping it clear is your responsibility, not the network’s. Western Power says homeowners and occupiers are responsible for keeping trees clear of powerlines all year round. Never prune near a live line yourself; a licensed arborist can do it safely.
Act fast, but act safely. Stay well clear of any fallen powerlines and assume every downed line is live. Keep people and pets away from leaning trees and hanging branches, and don’t cut large limbs yourself. Photograph the damage for your insurer first.
Then work out whether the tree can be saved. As a rough guide, under 50% canopy loss with an intact trunk and root plate often recovers with pruning. Uprooted or split trees usually need to come down. Our storm damage tree removal and stump grinding crews clear the site safely; our Perth storm tree damage guide covers the assessment.
“After a storm, stay clear of fallen powerlines and never cut large damaged limbs yourself. A tree with under 50% canopy loss and an intact trunk can often be saved, while uprooted or split trees usually need professional removal.”
