The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season brought above-normal activity to Massachusetts, with forecasters predicting 17-25 named storms. As coastal communities from Cohasset to Scituate assess property damage from recent storm activity, a hidden crisis is developing in backyards across Norfolk and Plymouth counties. Ash trees already weakened by emerald ash borer (EAB) and further stressed by hurricane-force winds are now racing against time before nor’easter season arrives in full force.
The problem isn’t just about trees that obviously failed during hurricane season. The real danger lies in ash trees that survived recent storms but suffered internal structural damage that won’t be apparent until the next major weather event hits. With EAB confirmed in both Norfolk and Plymouth counties, thousands of South Shore ash trees are now in a critically weakened state where any additional storm stress could trigger catastrophic failure.
Key Takeaways
- Remove dead ash trees as soon as possible to ensure trees do not fail from a massive nor’easter
- Hidden damage assessment reveals that hurricane stress on EAB-compromised trees creates internal structural failures that may not be visible until winter loading occurs
- Winter emergency removal costs increase significantly compared to fall scheduled removal due to safety requirements and equipment limitations
- Insurance coverage favors proactive removal of known hazard trees over reactive emergency response after failure
- Neighborhood-specific risks affect Cohasset waterfront properties, established Hingham neighborhoods, and Scituate harbor areas with compounded threats from both EAB progression and storm exposure
The Perfect Storm: How Hurricane Season Sets Up EAB-Weakened Trees for Catastrophic Failure
The combination of emerald ash borer damage and hurricane season stress and damage creates a dangerous situation that extends far beyond what’s visible to property owners. Understanding how these two threats work together helps explain why seemingly stable ash trees can become sudden hazards after surviving recent storms.
Advanced EAB damage creates unpredictable failure patterns that worsen after storm events.
Hurricane Season Impact on Already-Compromised Ash Trees
The 2024 hurricane season tested every tree on the South Shore, but ash trees damaged by emerald ash borer faced a double threat. EAB larvae create S-shaped galleries under the bark that disrupt water and nutrient transport throughout the tree. This, in turn, makes the tree more brittle. When hurricane-force winds hit these structurally compromised trees, the damage goes far beyond what you can see from the outside.
Hurricane winds create torsional stress that healthy trees can typically handle. But ash trees with EAB damage have already lost significant structural integrity in their cambium layer, the living tissue just under the bark that provides strength and flexibility. When these weakened trees experience hurricane-force winds, microscopic fractures develop throughout the remaining healthy wood.
In Hingham’s established neighborhoods, Cohasset’s waterfront areas, and throughout Scituate’s mature residential streets, many ash trees that appeared to weather recent storms actually suffered internal damage that won’t become apparent until the next major stress event.
Internal Structural Damage That’s Not Immediately Visible
The most dangerous aspect of hurricane damage to EAB-infected ash trees is that the worst effects often remain hidden for weeks or months. While broken branches and obvious lean are easy to spot, the internal structural failures that develop during high-wind events create delayed-action hazards that can fail without warning.
EAB damage follows a predictable pattern, but hurricane stress accelerates the timeline dramatically. Trees that might have survived another full season with their EAB infection can suddenly become unstable after experiencing hurricane-force winds. The combination of reduced wood strength from beetle damage and new stress fractures from storm loading creates what arborists call “compound failure potential.”
“After 20 years of assessing storm damage on the South Shore, I can tell you that EAB-infected ash trees that survive a hurricane are often extremely dangerous. The hidden damage creates unpredictable failure patterns that put families and property at serious risk.”- Jeff Van Meter, Top Notch Tree’s founder and ISA Certified Arborist
Why Hurricane and Nor’easter Damage Compound EAB Weakness
Both hurricane season and nor’easter season create unique stresses that EAB-weakened ash trees simply cannot withstand. Hurricane winds typically come from the south and southeast, creating one type of directional stress on tree structures. Nor’easters bring winds from the northeast with different loading patterns, often sustained for much longer periods.
The key difference isn’t which storm type is more dangerous, as both can be deadly for compromised trees. The critical factor is timing. Trees that survive the summer with hidden damage from EAB and hurricane damage are sitting like loaded springs, waiting for the next weather event to trigger failure. Nor’easter season, which typically runs from October through April, provides multiple opportunities for that failure to occur.
Ice loading during nor’easters adds another dimension of risk that hurricane season doesn’t present. When freezing rain coats the branches of an already-compromised ash tree, the additional weight can trigger failure in trees that seemed stable just days before. This is why the September through November window is so critical for assessment and removal.
Don’t Wait to Assess and Remove Dangerous Ash Trees
The weeks following hurricane season represent the most important period for identifying and addressing compromised ash trees. This narrow window offers the last opportunity for an inspection and proactive removal before a nor’easter potentially blows the tree down.
Post-Hurricane Damage Assessment Protocols
Professional assessment after hurricane season requires more than just looking for obvious damage. EAB-compromised ash trees need systematic evaluation that considers both visible storm damage and hidden structural changes that may have occurred during high-wind events.
The assessment process starts with examining the tree’s overall lean and any changes in its position relative to buildings, power lines, or other targets. Even a slight change in lean can indicate root damage or trunk failure that will worsen over time. For ash trees with known or suspected EAB infection, any increase in lean should be treated as a removal priority. Learn more about identifying signs of hazardous trees that require immediate attention.
Next comes evaluation of the trunk and major branches for new cracks, bark splitting, or other signs of stress damage. Hurricane winds can create spiral fractures in tree trunks that may not be immediately visible but will propagate over time. These fractures are particularly dangerous in EAB-infected trees because the reduced wood strength provides less resistance to crack growth.
The canopy assessment focuses on branch attachment points and any new deadwood that may have developed since the storm. EAB damage often weakens branch attachments, and hurricane stress can push these weak points past their failure threshold. Dead branches in the upper canopy are especially concerning because they can fall without warning during the next windstorm. If you’re unsure about the condition of your ash tree, our guide on whether you should remove a tree can help you make an informed decision.
Bark damage like this indicates serious structural compromise requiring immediate assessment.
Hidden EAB Progression Accelerated by Storm Stress
Storm stress doesn’t just create new damage in EAB-infected trees. It also accelerates the progression of existing beetle damage. The physiological stress of surviving hurricane-force winds weakens the tree’s ability to compartmentalize beetle damage and defend against further infestation.
Massachusetts pest monitoring data shows that EAB was confirmed in West Bridgewater in Plymouth County in 2019, and the infestation has been steadily spreading eastward toward the coast. Trees in Marshfield, Scituate, and Norwell that may have had low-level EAB infections before hurricane season could experience rapid decline over the coming months due to storm-related stress.
WARNING: The combination of storm damage and EAB progression creates an accelerated timeline for tree failure. Trees that might have remained stable for another full year can become hazardous within weeks of a major storm event. This is why waiting until spring for assessment and removal is such a dangerous gamble.
Neighborhood-Specific Risk Factors
Different South Shore neighborhoods face unique combinations of EAB exposure, tree age, and storm vulnerability that affect the urgency of removal decisions:
- Cohasset and Scituate waterfront properties face the dual challenge of mature ash trees exposed to direct coastal winds and confirmed EAB presence. The combination of salt spray stress, EAB damage, and hurricane exposure creates particularly dangerous conditions for ash trees in these high-value coastal areas.
- Hingham, Marshfield, and Duxbury established neighborhoods contain numerous mature ash trees planted in the mid-20th century that are now reaching peak vulnerability age for EAB damage. These trees experienced the full force of recent hurricane activity and are facing their first nor’easter season with compromised structural integrity.
- Norwell’s suburban neighborhoods contain many ash trees planted during post-war development that are now reaching peak vulnerability to both EAB and storm damage. The inland location provides some protection from coastal storm intensity but doesn’t eliminate the risk of nor’easter damage to compromised trees.
Emergency removals require specialized equipment and cost significantly more than planned jobs.
Winter Emergency Removal: Why Waiting Costs More Than Money
The economics of winter emergency tree removal tell a stark story about the value of proactive planning. What seems like an expensive fall removal job becomes a bargain compared to the same work performed under emergency conditions during nor’easter season.
Winter emergency work requires specialized equipment that many tree services don’t have or can’t deploy safely in challenging conditions. Ice-covered trees can’t be climbed using standard techniques, requiring bucket trucks or cranes for even moderately-sized removals. Crane-assisted tree removal becomes essential for larger trees or those in tight spaces during winter emergencies. Frozen ground makes it difficult to stabilize heavy equipment, often requiring additional machinery to prepare work areas.
The labor component of emergency removal after a nor’easter also increases dramatically. Work that might take a crew of three workers one day in good conditions can require a larger team and multiple days when performed in the aftermath of a major storm. Safety protocols require additional time for equipment setup and hazard mitigation when working around ice, snow, and frozen surfaces.
“We’ve had homeowners pay dramatically more for emergency ash tree removal in winter compared to what the same job would have cost if they’d done it proactively. It is always cheaper to do a planned removal than try to get a tree off a house or vehicle.” – Jeff Van Meter
Smart Planning: Scheduling Your Assessment Before the Storm Season
Professional assessment of potentially compromised ash trees requires systematic evaluation that goes beyond casual observation. Our experts use their knowledge to evaluate both the likelihood and consequences of tree failure, providing objective data for removal decisions.
The assessment process begins with species identification and EAB damage evaluation, followed by structural evaluation of the tree’s ability to withstand future loading from wind, ice, and snow. This includes assessment of root stability, trunk integrity, and branch attachment strength with particular attention to areas where EAB damage may have compromised structural elements.
Target evaluation considers what would be damaged if the tree fails, helping prioritize removal decisions when multiple trees need attention. Trees that threaten homes, vehicles, or high-traffic areas receive immediate attention, while trees in open areas with minimal target exposure may be candidates for continued monitoring rather than immediate removal. For trees that can be saved, preventive pruning techniques can help reduce storm damage risk before the next weather event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Look for new lean in the tree, bark cracks or splits, broken or hanging branches, and any change in the tree’s overall appearance. EAB-infected ash trees may show accelerated decline after storm stress, including rapid yellowing of leaves or increased deadwood in the canopy. Professional assessment is recommended for any ash tree that shows signs of both EAB damage and potential storm stress.
Hurricane-force winds create additional stress on trees that are already fighting EAB infestations. This stress weakens the tree’s natural defense mechanisms and can accelerate the spread of beetle damage throughout the tree. Storm-stressed trees also become more attractive to EAB adults looking for egg-laying sites, potentially increasing infestation pressure.
Storm stress can accelerate EAB damage dramatically, reducing the typical 3-5 year decline timeline to just months in severely compromised trees. Trees that might have survived another full season with their EAB infection can become unstable within weeks of a major storm event, particularly if they suffered internal structural damage during high winds.
Contact a Certified Arborist for professional assessment as soon as possible. Don’t wait for obvious signs of failure, as EAB-damaged trees can fail suddenly without warning. Document the tree’s condition with photos and avoid spending time under the canopy until professional evaluation is complete.
Waiting until spring is risky for EAB-infected trees that experienced hurricane season stress. The nor’easter season provides multiple opportunities for unstable trees to fail, and emergency removal during winter weather is much more dangerous and expensive than planned removal during favorable conditions. Fall assessment and removal provide the safest and most cost-effective approach.
Proactive removal during good weather allows for safer, more efficient operations.
Don’t Wait for the Next Storm to Strike
The window for safe, cost-effective ash tree removal is closing rapidly as nor’easter season approaches. At Top Notch Tree, our ISA Certified Arborists have been helping South Shore residents prepare for storm season for more than two decades, and we understand the unique challenges that EAB-infected ash trees face during our region’s intensive storm seasons.
Don’t gamble with your family’s safety and your property’s value. Call Top Notch Tree at xxx-xxx-xxxx or request your emergency ash tree assessment today. When it comes to storm-damaged, EAB-compromised ash trees, the best time to act was yesterday. The second-best time is right now.
