Trees are beautiful additions to any property, but having them around your home comes with certain risks. If a tree falls, it can cause serious damage or injury. Knowing the signs of a tree that is weakening or about to fall can ensure you get your tree safely removed as soon as possible. Here's what to look out for.
Tree Is Leaning
Trees can start to lean for a variety of reasons. They could be damaged during a heavy storm or during strong winds, or their root structures could be weakening. No matter the reason, a leaning tree s a potential danger that needs to be investigated.
Healthy trees that are leaning can sometimes be corrected, but if the leaning is a sign that the tree is dying, then the risk will only get worse with time. Since a dead or dying tree cannot be saved, it will need to be removed so it won't damage your home or injure someone when it falls.
Leaning can be sudden or gradual, so if you notice your tree starting to lean or change its position, call a professional to inspect it immediately.
Branches Are Breaking Easily
Leaves and branches will sometimes fall off a tree as a normal part of its life cycle, but when branches turn brittle and start to break off much more easily or in greater numbers, this could be a sign that your tree is dying.
If you suspect your tree may be in some trouble, check its branches and try to snap them. If they are pliable and bend, this is a good sign; if they break easily, however, and you notice this problem on several different branches, your tree needs to be inspected. Because many problems with trees affect them from the inside out, your tree could look healthy on the outside, but weakening on the inside. Even without showing outward signs of trouble, it may still need to be removed depending on how severe the problem is and how much of a threat the tree poses to your property.
Tree Is Infested or Diseased
Trees, like other living organisms, get infected with various diseases that can weaken or kill your tree if not addressed quickly. These diseases can destroy root structures and cause trunks to rot, which can be dangerous, as these symptoms affect the inside of the tree.
Pests, such as wood-boring insects, can also infest trees and damage them to a point where it is no longer able to gain nutrients from the soil. Although they may not kill your tree directly, they can cause enough damage that your tree will die on its own.
Regularly inspect your tree for signs of infestation or infection by checking its bark, the brittleness of its branches, how the leaves look, and the stability of its visible roots. When trees suffer enough damage or disease, they can start to pose a risk, and if treatment is not available, your tree will need to be removed.
For more tips, reach out to a local tree removal service.