A falling tree is one of the most dangerous acts of God that your insurance policy might outline, and trees can cause a whole lot of damage on their way down. Falling trees can go straight through a roof awning, total your car, or take out a section of a power line. Many Omaha neighborhoods are defined by the mature trees that line the streets. Unfortunately, every year, we see reports of trees falling due to windy days, severe weather, or snowstorms. The best thing to do when you spot warning signs that a tree is at risk of falling is to remove it before the tree becomes problematic. In this article, we discuss signs to look out for when a tree is at risk of falling so you can have it removed before it spells danger!
How Do You Tell If a Tree is at Risk of Falling?
A tree that’s close to falling down is an unnecessary risk that could cause thousands of dollars worth of damage or serious injury. Once a tree falls, there’s almost no telling what kind of damage it’s going to cause.
Check the Base of the Tree
One of the first potential signs of a tree that’s about to fall can be spotted at the base of the tree.
Slow-growing trees show most of the damage at the base, and sometimes they take damage that weakens the rest of the tree on the way up. Trees can be impacted by many things in the environment, including accidents or lightning, that affect the health and strength of the base of the tree.
Take a good look at the base of your trees every once in a while. If you see any damage, it’s likely that the rest of the tree might not be as strong as it appears.
The Angle of the Tree Changes
If a tree begins to change its angle over time, note this gradual change and look at what else is going on around the tree. Trees that tilt are a sure sign that the tree might be going down soon – and the speed at which the angle is changing can usually give you some kind of indication as to how soon.
Angled trees aren’t rooted in the soil as strongly as they should be. If you have any big trees in your yard that begin to angle sideways, don’t take the risk and consider this tree a danger of falling.
How long can an angled tree take to fall down?
There’s no real way to attach a timeframe to it. Once you notice that a tree is starting to fall slowly, it’s best to call a tree professional near you immediately to ensure it doesn’t become a bigger, heavier, or more expensive problem.
The Tree Shows Signs of an Infestation
A bug infestation is one of the top causes that can weaken a tree right down to its roots. Most bug infestations have the ability to go almost completely unnoticed until most of the tree’s structure has been eaten away by the invisible creatures.
If there are signs of channels that have been eaten through the wood or the bark begins to lift in any way, it could indicate further infestations. Sometimes, it’s not uncommon to see signs of sawdust surrounding a tree – or you might find that some of the tree has been replaced by a hollow nest.
Infestations can be a big problem for trees because it weakens the structural integrity of the whole tree. In most cases, it is best to remove trees that are at risk of falling down due to an infestation. However, contacting a certified arborist in your area can help to save a tree in some cases.
The Tree is Old or Dry
If Hollywood has taught us anything, it’s that you always have to listen for that characteristic sound of a tree cracking that is bound to happen right before it falls. Trees that are old and dry are much more likely to crack and fall down on the environment that surrounds them. Have you recently noticed more dead branches?
Don’t wait for the tell-tale sound effect to do anything. Remove the tree before danger arises.
Tree Services of Omaha
Tree Services of Omaha, Nebraska is a full-service tree care provider that offers a wide range of arborist services including but not limited to: Tree Removal Services, Tree Trimming, Tree Pruning, Tree and Shrub Shaping, Stump Removal, Stump Grinding, Arborist Consultations, Systemic Tree Injections.
Contact us today for a free estimate!
