How to Know Which Trees Are in Danger of Falling

June 10, 2022

Trees provide much-needed relief from the sun and can even offer the privacy we desire on our own properties. Unfortunately, they can also be a great source of danger when they are not carefully inspected and maintained by tree professionals. In an effort to avoid major property damage and life-threatening injuries from falling trees, many homeowners will accidentally remove perfectly healthy trees because they didn’t know any better.

You can protect your family and property and save your favorite trees by learning to recognize the warning signs of trees at risk of falling. This way, you will know if you need to get in touch with tree clearing contractors or certified arborists to restore the plants.

In order to detect potential weak points on your trees, think about inspecting the plants in four sections: the tree as a whole, the ground, the trunk, and the crown.

Look Over the Tree as a Whole

Take a few steps back from the tree until you can observe its trunk and crown at the same time. First, determine if the tree is leaning. Has it always been like this, or has it started leaning more in the last day, week, or month? If the tree is leaning toward the east, you will want to be extra cautious because trees that lean to the east are more vulnerable to falling since the winds blow in from the west.

Now, glance over the tree to see if you can spot any dead branches, sections without leaves or thin leaf coverage, and branches that are dying at the tips. If you notice any of these issues, your tree is at risk of falling because it is sick or dying. You will want to have the tree evaluated by an ISA-certified arborist immediately.

Examine the Ground Around the Tree

After examining the tree as a whole, step closer until you can see the base of the tree. Remove any ivy, mulch, or leaves covering the ground and inspect the soil. Is it cracked or raised? This may indicate the tree is about to uproot. Do you see any mushrooms growing on or around the tree’s roots or trunk? If so, the tree likely has root rot. You will want a certified professional to help you determine if you should remove the tree or if you can leave it standing.

While examining the ground around the tree, check for deep cavities or hollows in the base of the trunk. If too much wood is missing from the trunk, it can become unstable and fall at the slightest disturbance.

Inspect the Tree Trunk

Let your eyes climb up the rest of the tree (but keep your feet firmly planted on the ground — there’s no need to climb the tree or a ladder to complete your inspection). Look for cavities, cracks, and splits anywhere on the trunk. If your tree suffers from any of these problems, it wouldn’t even take something as forceful as strong winds to knock it over.

Keep an eye out for sections of missing bark, which can indicate a surface wound, fungus attack, or infection. If you find sawdust (or frass) sprinkling the ground or tree branches, you may have carpenter ants or boring insects attacking your tree. A pest-infested tree is a weak tree at risk of falling.

Does your tree have multiple trunks? If it does, you will want to have it inspected by an arborist because the place where the trunks split is a weak spot, and the tree may be in danger of falling from improper support.

Pay Attention to the Crown of the Tree

Finally, look at the tree’s crown (the branches and leaves that extend from the trunk) while staying on the ground. Do you see any dead branches (spots where the leaves are brown or do not exist while the rest of the tree is a vibrant green)? A dead branch may also be missing its bark if it’s been dead for a while.

Keep Your Family and Property Safe by Being Proactive

If you notice any warning signs of a falling tree during your inspection, have your tree professionally inspected by a licensed tree company immediately. Even if you don’t see any of these issues, it’s wise to have your tree evaluated by a certified arborist every three years and after major weather events. The professionals at All The Above Tree Service will keep your trees healthy and vibrant and help you quickly and safely remove trees at risk of falling.

If you’re constantly asking yourself, “Is my tree dead?” or worried it’s about to tumble down on your home, get in touch with our team immediately. We’ll provide timely Bucks County tree service to help you avoid potential issues.