Storm Damage to Trees: Protocol and Documentation for Municipalities

Dutch storm history shows a pattern: it's not the frequency that's increasing, but the impact. Mature trees in full leaf act as sails — summer storms are disproportionately destructive.

Nederland telt gemiddeld 7 stormdagen per jaar, waarbij meer dan 5.000 bomen omwaaien of ernstig beschadigd raken. De economische schade loopt op tot 50-100 miljoen euro per storm. Helaas vallen er jaarlijks ook dodelijke slachtoffers door vallende bomen.

Recent storms

• Storm Eunice (Feb 2022) (2022): Top 3 heaviest storms in 50+ years. All 4 fatalities caused by falling trees.
• Storm Poly (July 2023) (2023): First 'very severe storm' (code red) in Dutch summer. 5,000+ trees nationwide.
• Storm Conall (Nov 2024) (2024): €50 million damage, mainly fallen trees. 1 fatality.

Documentation is your legal defense line. Without registration, you cannot possibly prove you met your duty of care. When something goes wrong after a storm, everything revolves around the question: what can you demonstrate?

Per tree and per inspection, you record when the inspection took place (date and season, as this affects visibility of defects), where exactly (specific tree location with unique number), and by whom (name and function or expertise of inspector). Additionally, you register what inspection method was applied — VTA, visual, or further investigation — and what the findings were: identified defects and risk status. Finally, you document the measures (type of intervention and urgency level), the urgency itself (immediate, within one month, within one year, or within three years), and the execution date as proof that work was actually completed.

The best protection against storm damage starts before the storm hits. By systematically identifying risk trees and acting preventively, you limit both damage and your liability risk.

Some tree species are naturally more vulnerable to storms. Poplars have shallow rooting and relatively weak wood. Willows suffer from branch mortality and windthrow, especially near water. Beeches have shallow roots, especially on clay soils, and are particularly vulnerable in summer storms when fully leafed. Ashes are weakened by ash dieback that has plagued the Netherlands for years.

Besides species sensitivity, location factors play a role. High groundwater levels lead to shallow rooting — the tree literally cannot get a grip. Root damage from construction makes trees unstable. Recently 'freed' trees that were previously sheltered by neighboring trees are suddenly exposed to wind. And trees with reduced vitality or drought stress have less resistance against extreme conditions.

In acute danger situations, emergency felling may be necessary. Unlike regular felling, no environmental permit is required for acute danger — safety comes first. Authorization is given by the mayor based on Article 172 of the Municipal Act.

The decision can be made and executed the same day. It's important to take at least three photos before felling that document the acute danger — this is your evidence afterwards. Note: even with emergency felling, the replanting obligation may still apply, so carefully document which tree was felled and why. Good registration prevents discussions with permit authorities and protects against objections from residents.