Timber! Lincoln’s aging trees at risk with high winds in the forecast

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – With the high winds expected this week, many Lincolnites are worried about their properties.

On Monday, the National Weather Service in Omaha urged people to bring in outdoor items.

“Tuesday evening/overnight will be one of the windiest days in several years,” the weather service said on X. “Yes…we said ‘years.'”

If you have things outdoors that you’d like to keep, bring them in by Tuesday morning. Tuesday evening/overnight will be one of the windiest days in several years. Yes…we said “years”. Several hours of 50 to 70 mph gusts (could be even stronger) are expected. pic.twitter.com/hc6eQsOMV1

— NWS Omaha (@NWSOmaha) March 3, 2025

Lincoln’s aging tree canopy makes for easy-to-fall trees.

In the Country Club neighborhood, homeowner Ken Meier said this is causing some concern.

“This whole neighborhood, the whole area, is filled with trees that are 50, 60, 70 years old,” he said. “Last time that this happened, there were branches down everywhere, and they had to create a place for the branches down at the Star City Shores. It makes a big mess.”

SEE ALSO: Lincoln arborist says tree checkups can prevent them from falling

But another homeowner, Lynn Senkbeil, said he is more worried about the precipitation than the winds.

“With the last storm we had, it was quite a bit of wind, so I think everything has fallen that’s going to fall,” he said. “It’s just the amount of snow that could be an issue.”

Mike Wiekhorst, owner of M.S. Wiekhorst Arbor Company, said the recent drought makes the trees more prone to damage.

“I think a majority of the winds coming up this week will probably lead to dislodgement of things that were already broken or hanging in the last storm,” he said. “We’ve had drought conditions continue, which is extremely stressful on the trees and makes them brittle and susceptible to breakage.”

If you need help with your yard, the capital city has many licensed tree service companies.