Is Your Tree Dangerous? Signs to Look For Before the Next Storm

Most tree failures that damage homes do not come out of nowhere. The tree was giving signals for months or years, and someone walked past them. Here is what to look for.

Signs in the canopy

Dead branches are the easy one. Look for limbs with no leaves when the rest of the tree is in leaf, or bark that has peeled off and is brittle. Dead wood breaks in wind, often in the middle of a storm when you least want it to.

Watch for branch unions with cracks, cavities, or bark that is pushed inward where two large limbs meet. A tight V-shaped union is weaker than it looks. Also look for mushrooms or conks growing on the trunk or at the base. They usually mean decay inside the wood, and decay does not reverse.

Signs at the base

A lean that is new or getting worse is worth paying attention to, especially if you see soil heaving or small cracks on the ground on the leaning side. Roots that are lifting pavement or that have been cut during construction can weaken a tree more than you would guess.

Trees near structures and powerlines

A tree that is healthy but sits over a roof, a shed, or a service line carries a different kind of risk. The question is not only whether the tree is sound, but what happens if a limb lets go. If a tree could reach a structure or a line, that changes the priority even if it looks fine.

Do not climb or prune near a powerline yourself. Call the utility if a limb is touching or near a line, and call a licensed crew for anything that needs cutting in that zone.

When to call a professional

If you see any of the following, schedule an assessment rather than waiting: a large dead limb over a driveway or roof, a trunk crack that runs deep, a sudden lean, or fungus at the base. A tree service can often tell you in one visit whether the tree needs trimming, removal, or simply monitoring.

If the tree is a hazard, it may be cheaper to remove it on your schedule than after it lands on something. Keep photos of the tree and any damage in case you need them for insurance.