Is That Tree Dangerous? 7 Warning Signs to Look For Before the Next Nor'easter

1. A tree that leans, especially a new lean

Many trees grow at a slant and are perfectly stable. The lean to worry about is one that looks different from last season, or one that comes with other signs on this list. The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) points out that cracked or lifted soil around the base is a warning sign for failure, especially when the tree is leaning. Step back and sight the trunk against a building or a fence post. If you can't remember the tree leaning like that, or the ground at the base looks disturbed, it is worth a call.

2. Cracks and splits in the trunk or branches

Look for long cracks running along the trunk, through a major branch, or where branches join the trunk. The ISA advises watching for splits on the trunk, major branches, and branch unions. University extension guidance singles out cracks that run across a stem or branch as particularly serious. A crack means the wood has already separated, and wind can finish the job.

3. Dead limbs and hanging branches

Dead branches in the crown are, in the ISA's words, probably the most obvious potential hazards. Bare limbs with no bark, no buds in spring, or brittle wood are dead. So are broken branches still caught up in the canopy, often called hangers, which can drop when the wind picks up. How dangerous a dead limb is depends on its size and what is underneath it. A big dead limb over the roof, the driveway, or the spot where the kids play is a much bigger concern than a twig over the lawn.

4. Root heave and disturbed soil

Roots are the part of a tree you can't see, so watch for clues around the base. Soil that is cracked, raised, or pushed up on one side can mean the roots are moving. The ISA says cracks or separations in the soil may indicate soil heaving from excessive movement of the roots. Other root warning signs include roots that are broken, damaged by digging or construction, or cut off by a new driveway, trench, or grade change. Saturated ground can make a tree with weak roots even less secure.

5. Mushrooms, conks, or soft rot on the trunk or base

Fungus growing on a trunk or at the base, such as mushrooms or shelf-like conks, can mean wood is decaying inside. Other signs are hollow spots or cavities, sap leaking through the bark, and a trunk that looks lopsided or swollen. The ISA lists fungal fruiting bodies and cavities as obvious signs of decay. A tree can look healthy from the top and still be hollow at the bottom, which is one reason a professional look matters.

6. Weak forks and included bark

When a trunk splits into two stems of about the same size, the joint can be a weak point, especially if the fork is tight and V-shaped with bark squeezed between the stems, called included bark. Extension guidance describes V-shaped unions as inherently weaker and codominant stems as often having weak attachments. You may see a seam or a dark line where bark is pinched, or a crack starting at the fork. Trees like this often can be helped with pruning or support, so an arborist's view is worth it before the tree fails.

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7. A tree close to your house, driveway, or power line

The same flaw is a bigger problem when something valuable sits within reach of a falling tree. Trees hanging over a roof, a bedroom wall, a parked car, or a play area deserve more attention than the same tree in the back forty. Trees and limbs near power lines need extra care, and the work should be left to trained professionals. Call your utility if a limb is touching or close to a line. Versant Power, for example, asks customers to call before any work near their lines.

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What you can safely check from the ground

Walk around the tree in daylight, keeping a safe distance from lines and out from under any suspect limbs. Look at the base, the trunk, the fork, and the crown. Take a few photos now while things are calm, so you can tell later whether something has changed. Don't poke around with tools, pull on limbs, or stand under a branch you are worried about.

When to call a licensed arborist

Call if you see any of the signs above, especially if two or more show up together, or if the tree is near your home or lines. The ISA recommends that anyone who answers yes to its tree risk checklist have the tree examined by an ISA Certified Arborist, since judging how serious a defect is takes training. The Maine Forest Service also cautions homeowners to be wary of fly-by-night storm crews and to ask for proof of licensing, insurance, and references. Do that before anyone touches your tree. An arborist may recommend pruning, cabling or bracing, or removal, and the right answer depends on the tree, not on the season.

If you're near Bass Harbor, Bar Harbor, or anywhere on Mount Desert Island or in Hancock County, give us a call. Owen Humphrey, our owner and a Maine State Licensed Arborist with 16 years of experience in Hancock County, will take a careful look. We do climbing and aerial tree work, difficult removals, ornamental pruning, and line clearance. A careful look now beats a call after the storm.

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