What to Do When Limbs Break During a Winter Storm in Katy

When icy wind and freezing rain sweep through Katy, tree limbs don’t always hold up. It doesn’t take much. One hard freeze can add weight fast, and in a few hours, a healthy-looking branch can crack and give way. We’ve seen it happen across town, overnight damage that leaves yards scattered with broken limbs or trees bent under pressure.

If you're dealing with something like that, tree limb removal in Katy isn’t something to wait on. The real risk comes from what's still up there. A heavy branch that didn't fall yet can be the most dangerous part. Staying safe during and after a winter storm means knowing what to check first, how to avoid trouble, and when to bring in help. Here's how we walk through it.

Check for Immediate Safety Risks

Winter damage always brings surprises. Some limbs fall and land clear of buildings or walkways. Others lean just enough to make you nervous without coming all the way down. Before doing anything else, we start by checking for danger.

• Look up and watch for hanging limbs that could snap with a breeze or sudden movement

• If wires are down, or a branch is touching a power line, stay far back and call the utility company

• Keep family, pets, and neighbors away until everything has been looked over

• Notice trees that are leaning more than before or roots that seem lifted, especially near wet ground

Even if things look okay at first glance, storm pressure can mess with balance and leave trees unstable. What feels solid may only be holding on by a thread.

What Winter Storm Damage Looks Like

Once the skies clear, don’t assume the danger is gone. Some trees break cleanly, but others split and twist from the inside out. Wind and ice find weak spots and push hard.

• Limbs that cracked but didn’t fall often hang tangled in other branches

• Trees may be split all the way down the center, especially older ones

• Wet roots can shift, tilting the whole stump without you noticing right away

• Bark may peel away, or you might see large wounds where limbs snapped

All of these are signs a tree might be unstable. If you’re unsure, it’s better to stay back and have it checked before clearing anything yourself.

Why Timing Matters After a Freeze

When the freeze passes, it’s tempting to get back to normal and skip ahead. But storm-damaged trees don’t always break right away. Often, we find that danger builds slowly over a few days.

• Ice melts and shifts weight around, moving weakened limbs

• Water seeps into cracks, making them worse

• Stronger winds after the storm can knock loose what's barely hanging on

The longer unstable limbs sit up there, the more they dry out and shift. That’s when surprise breaks happen, when nobody’s expecting it. Quick inspection and cleanup protect more than just your yard. They keep people safe.

How Tree Crews Remove Broken Limbs Safely

Tree damage isn’t always easy to fix. Big limbs and frozen branches don’t just fall all at once, and getting them down cleanly takes planning.

• We use ropes, pull tools, and saws to control which direction each limb falls

• Instead of cutting all at once, we take limbs apart in sections to reduce bounce and break

• Clean-up gets done right after, so paths, driveways, and porches are cleared fast

During colder months, the ground is softer or frozen, which changes how equipment moves. That’s why we adjust our steps to fit each situation. As a locally-owned tree care company with over 18 years of experience, Apple Tree Service handles all types of tree work and offers 24/7 emergency storm response to keep properties safe when weather moves in. This kind of tree limb removal in Katy isn’t about speed, it’s about safety and care, making sure every limb is handled the right way to avoid injury or damage.

What Not to Do After Limb Breaks

It’s normal to want to take action, especially when there are sticks and branches all over the place. The key is knowing which steps help and which could put someone at risk.

• Don’t pull at limbs stuck in a tree, even a light tug can shift others loose

• Never stand under a cracked branch, even if it doesn’t look like it's moving

• Skip ladders unless you’ve got training and equipment meant for tree work

• Don’t climb or cut alone, what feels like a simple fix may become an emergency fast

Winter damage can leave trees unpredictable, and even experienced eyes sometimes need a second look. If there’s ever doubt, play it safe and wait before touching anything overhead.

Getting Back to Normal, One Step at a Time

Storms don’t last forever, but the cleanup can feel like it drags on. After harsh weather rolls through and tree limbs fall, getting your yard back to normal doesn’t have to be rushed. What matters most is that it gets done right.

Knowing what to check and which signs are red flags helps keep everyone out of harm’s way. With a team that is fully insured and bonded, and the right experience for jobs of any size, you can feel confident that cleanup will be thorough. Broken limbs don’t fix themselves, but with the right care, your trees and your property can bounce back just fine.

Storm-damaged limbs and hanging branches can pose real risks to your home, walkways, and fences. Our team has years of experience handling all types of cleanups across Katy, and we know exactly what to look for to prevent further problems. For careful, prompt, and reliable tree limb removal in Katy, trust Apple Tree Service for the support you need to keep your property safe.