How to Spot a Dangerous Tree
By Wolf Trees and Gardens|December 09, 2020
Mature trees make beautiful landscaping on any property. The leaves provide privacy, protection from the sun, and beautiful colours that up any property's aesthetic.
But as they age, trees can become unstable and topple to the ground. Falling trees pose a risk to property and people. Fortunately, they usually give off some warning signs before they do. Watch your trees for the following to see if they are a danger to people and your property.
Root Problems
The roots are a tree's main source of nutrients, life, and stability. Unfortunately, the roots can become damaged, destroyed, or decayed, causing the tree to topple. Watch your trees for fungal growth and dark, musty areas. These patches may cause decay in the roots and the tree itself, and cause it to become unstable.
Dropping Branches
Your tree dropping dead branches is usually not a cause for concern, but if a limb suddenly drops for no reason, further inspection may be warranted. Often, decay will be found near the site of the break, and it’s possible that this decay may be lurking in other areas of the tree.
Leaf Loss
If your tree is losing leaves out of season, it may be a sign that something is amiss. The leaf loss could be due to pest infestation, soil issues, or tree diseases. It could also be a problem with the root system. If your tree has an infestation or disease, it is more likely to lose limbs or topple. It should be checked by an arborist to ensure the safety of the people on your property.
Mushrooms Growing on the Tree
Mushrooms nearby may seem harmless, but a mushroom is a fungus. If they are growing, there is a fungus of some kind working through the soil surrounding it. The filaments from the mushrooms can penetrate the tree, digesting the wood and weakening the tree. While not all mushrooms are harmful, some are extremely dangerous to your trees. If you see them growing on your tree or near the roots, have your tree checked.
Cracks or Holes in the Tree Trunk
Over time, some trees will develop deep cracks, hollows, or cavities in their trunks. They can be caused by tree rot, unstable soil, infestation, or other damage to the tree. It may indicate the presence of fungi that can hollow out the tree completely. These cracks, splits, and cavities leave the tree structurally unstable, and your tree could easily fall without any warning. While a superficial crack in the bark is harmless, anything deeper than the bark should be checked by a specialist.
Tree Removal
It's not always an easy task to remove a tree from your property, but at times, it must be done for the safety of people and property. If you have a tree that needs to be removed, let us know. We’d love to help. At Wolf Trees, we are fully insured and qualified. Reach out to us to get a free quote for your next tree removal.
But as they age, trees can become unstable and topple to the ground. Falling trees pose a risk to property and people. Fortunately, they usually give off some warning signs before they do. Watch your trees for the following to see if they are a danger to people and your property.
Root Problems
The roots are a tree's main source of nutrients, life, and stability. Unfortunately, the roots can become damaged, destroyed, or decayed, causing the tree to topple. Watch your trees for fungal growth and dark, musty areas. These patches may cause decay in the roots and the tree itself, and cause it to become unstable.
Dropping Branches
Your tree dropping dead branches is usually not a cause for concern, but if a limb suddenly drops for no reason, further inspection may be warranted. Often, decay will be found near the site of the break, and it’s possible that this decay may be lurking in other areas of the tree.
Leaf Loss
If your tree is losing leaves out of season, it may be a sign that something is amiss. The leaf loss could be due to pest infestation, soil issues, or tree diseases. It could also be a problem with the root system. If your tree has an infestation or disease, it is more likely to lose limbs or topple. It should be checked by an arborist to ensure the safety of the people on your property.
Mushrooms Growing on the Tree
Mushrooms nearby may seem harmless, but a mushroom is a fungus. If they are growing, there is a fungus of some kind working through the soil surrounding it. The filaments from the mushrooms can penetrate the tree, digesting the wood and weakening the tree. While not all mushrooms are harmful, some are extremely dangerous to your trees. If you see them growing on your tree or near the roots, have your tree checked.
Cracks or Holes in the Tree Trunk
Over time, some trees will develop deep cracks, hollows, or cavities in their trunks. They can be caused by tree rot, unstable soil, infestation, or other damage to the tree. It may indicate the presence of fungi that can hollow out the tree completely. These cracks, splits, and cavities leave the tree structurally unstable, and your tree could easily fall without any warning. While a superficial crack in the bark is harmless, anything deeper than the bark should be checked by a specialist.
Tree Removal
It's not always an easy task to remove a tree from your property, but at times, it must be done for the safety of people and property. If you have a tree that needs to be removed, let us know. We’d love to help. At Wolf Trees, we are fully insured and qualified. Reach out to us to get a free quote for your next tree removal.
