Trees are one of the most resilient plants in all of nature but even these study structures can sometimes fall and create unwanted damage to a person or their property. Millions of dollars in damage is created every year as trees topple onto fences, cars, and sometimes even homes. Whether by natural causes due to decay or a dying root system, in addition to being forced over by Mother Nature and the elements of weather, trees sometimes become unsteady and have the potential to come crashing down. 

Weather elements like high wind, ice, and the weight of snow in a tree top can bring one down to the ground in an instant. Even heavy rain may loosen the soil surrounding a tree’s root system and cause it to become unsteady when the wind blows, even if it is not exceedingly strong. Anytime there are trees that have the potential to land on valuable property - a home, garage, fence, car or other structure - ensuring they are properly maintained and do not present a liability is increasingly important. While no one can predict precisely when or even if a tree may fall, there are a few signs that something may be wrong.

Periodic checks of the trees on your property can provide some reassurance and potentially highlight any issues. Once noticed, appropriate actions should be taken in order to ensure that the tree or trees do not become a bigger problem. A professional evaluation can determine the measures that need to be taken to remedy any areas of concern. This could be from simply removing a few branches, to topping the tree, or a complete removal. 

Following are some danger signs that point to a tree being in jeopardy of causing damage by falling.

Leaning

The idea is to keep trees upright and in good condition. If you notice any that are already leaning or perhaps growing on a slope and extending outward instead of upward then these need to be given special consideration. A leaning tree already has a strike against it even if completely healthy otherwise. By already moving over, gravity is not the friend of this type of tree.

Leaning trees occur for different reasons, but light, soil composition, and steady winds all are common impacts. One way to evaluate a leaning tree is through photography. Older pictures may display the degree to which a tree has leaned over time and if it is getting worse, then appropriate action needs to be taken immediately.

Holes

Trees that have open cavities within their trunk structure could also be prone to falling. These holes reduce the amount of support a tree has in their trunk and then create an area where breaking would occur. Typically forming near the base of a tree, these openings can make for a dangerous combination with a tall tree that has so much weight pressing down on an unsteady foundation.

There are a variety of different causes for holes in trees from insects, to animals, and even the tree itself removing branches can create cavities and space. While not every tree that has some evidence of a hole is going to topple over, it should peak interest and serve as a warning sign for further inspection to assure a tree is safe.

Cracks

Similar to holes, cracks may not mean falling is inevitable but they should be examined to determine the cause and if any measures should be taken to alleviate the potential danger of coming down. Depending on where the cracks are developing and cause, an assessment can me made on the overall health of the tree and steps put in place to either remedy the danger or remove the tree entirely.

Cracks near the base of a tree create issues for the entire thing to come down whereas those occurring at higher points could lead to branches or limbs falling. A natural occurrence, cracks begin to develop if a tree is not getting appropriate nourishment and may be the result of weather as well. High winds can cause limbs to sustain an abundance of stress and begin to peel away from the trunk. These are the first warning signs and something that should be taken into consideration when overlooking the health of any trees that could fall on a property.

Root Damage

Tree roots are important elements anchoring the tree to the ground. They typically grow into the ground but can also be visible on top of the surface. Depending on the surroundings and soil quality, examining any root damage can be difficult to ascertain. 

Tree roots can also cause structural damage depending on the location of a tree and while attempting to combat a tree from falling, realizing their root systems are also a potential damage causing entity is something to consider when evaluating a property for potential dangers or warning signs regarding the health of its trees.

Similar to holes beginning to show up in trees, root damage can be caused by a variety of sources. The key is to determine if this damage is going to weaken the base of a tree enough to potentially result in it falling to the ground. Having a professional examine a tree with potential signs of root damage or decay is important because much of the damage will typically not be noticeable to the naked eye. A thorough investigation is needed to ensure that the tree is safe and should not cause any potential dangers to the people or property below.

Arbor Garden Tree & Landscaping has been serving the Denver metro area for 23 years. We began in 1994 with one truck and now have a full service arborist business. Our locally owned and operated company is proud to serve Denver metro area residents and business owners including the Denver Country Club, Castle Pines Country Club, city and county governments, various homeowners associations and private homeowners. Our knowledgeable and certified arborists would be more happy to provide you with tree trimming, tree removal, tree planting and landscaping services. When you’re ready to get started give us a call at 303-722-8820 or fill out our contact form today.