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I know what you have seen in the news these last few days. Trees, and lots of them causing damage during this winter storm. I’ve seen it, too. I also know why trees are so often shown as the result of storm damage. It’s hard to capture a heavy wind gust or the immediate effects of snow and ice buildup in a single photo. However, a massive tree laying on a house or a car, or branches falling and arcing on a power line are visceral. They show nature’s might and fury in a single image. It makes trees look terrifying.

In the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern, I have received messages from concerned residents asking if they should remove trees from their property. The fear is understandable. I get it. When you watch a massive oak limb crash onto a neighbor’s roof or see your own driveway blocked by a fallen pine, the instinct to eliminate the threat is powerful and completely valid. No one wants to stay awake during the next storm wondering if tonight is the night a tree comes through their bedroom window. All that said, I want to take a moment to talk about what we would lose if we let fear drive our decisions about Tullahoma’s urban forest.

The damage we saw this past weekend in our neighboring communities was real and severe. Four public trees came down during Fern’s visit to Tullahoma, yet it’s worth noting what didn’t happen. We had no significant damage. No reportable injuries. No extended power outages. No homes or cars destroyed. In a storm that brought over an inch of snow and ice accumulation along with three inches of rain, our tree canopy performed remarkably well. The vast majority of our trees bent, flexed, shed some branches, and will recover fully when spring arrives.

That’s because healthy, well-maintained trees are incredibly resilient. They’re engineered by millions of years of evolution to withstand exactly the kind of weather we just experienced. Their flexibility is their strength. A healthy tree in an ice storm is like a willow in the wind—it gives rather than breaks. For many of the trees that failed during Winter Storm Fern, this was not their first rodeo. Trees don’t become large overnight. They have survived other snow and ice events, tornadoes, high winds, and more. Some may have been already compromised: damaged by previous storms, weakened by disease, or structurally unsound due to poor growing conditions or age. With or without an ice storm, gravity wins one hundred percent of the time when it comes to falling trees.

This is where thoughtful tree management differs from fear-based removal. As our City Arborist, my job isn’t to eliminate trees that might someday cause problems. It’s to identify which trees pose genuine risks and which simply need proper care to continue thriving safely in our community. There’s a massive difference between a 60-year-old oak with heart rot and exposed roots, and a 60-year-old oak with a solid trunk and a well-established root system. One needs to come down. The other needs to stay.

Here’s what happens when communities panic and start removing healthy trees after a storm event: they lose far more than they gain.

A 2007 study by the University of Washington and the National Gardening Association found that mature trees in well-landscaped yards can increase property values by 7 to 19 percent. More recent research published in the journal Ecological Economics (2022), analyzing 21 hedonic property value studies across the US, confirmed that tree cover consistently increases home values, with the effect being particularly strong in neighborhoods with more than 25 percent tree coverage. Trees reduce energy costs by providing shade in summer and wind breaks in winter—one well-placed shade tree can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 30 percent. Our street trees increase property values across entire neighborhoods, meaning every homeowner in Tullahoma benefits from the urban forest, whether they have trees on their own lot or not.

From a public health perspective, trees are essential infrastructure. They improve air quality by filtering pollutants and producing oxygen. A single mature tree can absorb up to 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year and between 100-150 gallons of ground water in its vascular system. They reduce urban heat island effects, making our city more comfortable during brutal Tennessee summers. They filter stormwater runoff, reducing flooding and protecting water quality in our creeks and lakes. Mental health research shows that access to tree canopy reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. Hospital patients with views of trees recover faster than those looking at brick walls.

Trees also provide wildlife habitat that enriches our community in ways we often take for granted. The birds, squirrels, and beneficial insects that rely on our urban forest control pests, pollinate gardens, and connect us to the natural world. Children who grow up in tree-filled neighborhoods show better cognitive development and emotional regulation than those in treeless environments.

But perhaps most importantly, trees take decades to provide these benefits. The tree we remove today out of fear cannot be replaced tomorrow. If I plant a sapling in your yard this spring, you won’t see shade from it for 15 years. It won’t provide significant energy savings for 20 years. It won’t increase your property value substantially for 25 years. The mature trees standing in Tullahoma right now represent investments made by previous generations—gifts they gave to us. We owe it to future residents to be good stewards of that inheritance, not to squander it in a moment of panic.

So, what should you do if you’re worried about trees on your property?

First, have them assessed by a qualified arborist. The International Society of Arboriculture certifies arborists who can evaluate tree health and risk. Be wary of someone who shows up at your door after a storm offering to remove trees cheaply. Ask for credentials, business licensure, and insurance. Opportunists and scammers are always looking to make quick money and are not professionals interested in your trees’ long-term health.

Second, maintain your trees properly. Regular pruning removes deadwood and corrects structural problems before they become hazards. Water during droughts. Mulch properly around the base. These simple steps dramatically reduce storm damage risk.

Third, understand that zero risk doesn’t exist. We accept calculated risks every day—driving cars, crossing streets, living in houses with roofs that could leak. Trees are no different. A well-maintained tree carries minimal risk, but “minimal” isn’t “zero.” The question isn’t whether a tree might someday cause damage. The question is whether the decades of benefits that tree provides outweigh the small chance of a problem during its lifetime. In almost every case, the answer is yes.

Those mature oaks and maples shading our streets aren’t just pretty landscaping. They’re critical infrastructure, economic assets, and irreplaceable gifts from the past. Let’s treat them accordingly.

Winter Storm Fern reminded us that we live in a world where weather happens and nature is powerful, even cruel sometimes. But the lesson shouldn’t be that trees are our enemies. The lesson should be that thoughtful management, proper maintenance, and respect for the value of our urban forest will serve Tullahoma far better than chainsaws wielded in fear.