You know that one limb hanging a little too close to your roof? The one you keep meaning to deal with but haven’t? Storm season has a funny way of turning your yard into a real-life game of “Will it fall?”—and some tree limbs aren’t exactly shy about making a grand entrance, right through your roof. Instead of waiting for nature to throw hands, go out and eyeball those branches before the wind does the pruning for you. Read more on how to recognize hazardous tree limbs and what to do next.
How to Recognize Hazardous Tree Limbs Before Storm Season
The Leaners, the Danglers, and the Flat-Out Suspicious and Hazardous Tree Limbs
Trees don’t need to be leaning horizontally to scream that they’re in trouble. Have you ever seen a limb leaning like it’s lost the will to participate in photosynthesis? Leaning trees are a red flag.
The same goes for anything that’s hanging over your:
- House
- Car
- The spot in the backyard where you like to grill
The limb might seem stable right now, but throw in a few high winds, and that branch cracks and splits.
If you’ve got limbs that look like they’re barely clinging on—half-broken or wedged awkwardly in a fork—they’re not sticking around out of loyalty. They’re just biding their time.
Bark That’s Peeling Like a Bad Sunburn
If the bark is flaking off like it’s shedding last season’s look, don’t ignore it. Sometimes, it’s just age, but at other times, it’s tree decay doing its thing beneath the surface.
Trees don’t exactly announce when they’re rotting from the inside out. But if you notice mushrooms growing from the limb or a strange, punky softness when you tap the wood, that branch might be more sponge than structure.
Fungus and dead bark aren’t there for aesthetics—they’re your early warning signs to take action. The structural integrity of the tree may be in question.
Cracks That Look Like They’re Plotting Something Bad
Some limbs have actual splits running down them like the tree tried to tear itself in half out of sheer drama.
Long cracks that stretch through the branch—or even into the trunk—don’t add “character.” They’re weak points that can snap under pressure.
Don’t talk yourself into thinking they’ll hold. Trees aren’t great at repair work. That split won’t heal itself like a scraped knee. The next heavy rain or windstorm could turn that minor-looking crack into an airborne javelin.
Reduce the risk of damage and remove the weak branches before structural issues become dangerous.
V-Shaped Unions That Deserve a Second Look
Have you ever noticed how some limbs grow out from the trunk in a tight V shape? Not a great design choice. That spot traps water and debris, which slowly starts breaking things down from the inside.
That union might look strong now, but the internal stress is building up like a bad relationship. Eventually, it’s going to break apart in dramatic fashion.
Limb unions that resemble a U or an open angle are preferable. They’re not trying to crush each other. They’re just out there living their lives.
Trees That Have Been Through Stuff
Storm scars, old lightning strikes, limbs that snapped off years ago and never healed right—these trees have stories and not the fun kind.
Damage from past storms often leaves weak spots just waiting to give out in the next storm. Does your tree have a branch with a big, jagged wound or an area? Does it have dead branches or look like it’s slowly dying? That limb might be on a countdown to giving up.
Don’t give it the benefit of the doubt. Storm-damaged limbs tend to go rogue without much warning. Contact a certified arborist to get a clear answer.
Hazardous Tree Limbs: Trust Your Gut, Then Trust a Ladder—or a Pro
Sometimes, you don’t need a certificate in arboriculture to know something’s wrong with your trees. That said, climbing trees to inspect things isn’t exactly a Sunday stroll.
Reach out to the pros if the sketchy limb is:
- Out of reach
- In an awkward or difficult spot
- Near power lines
A professional tree care service is the way to go. They have the right climbing gear and insurance for the job.
Tree Services of Omaha – Tree Removal Services
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 shrubs Shaping, Stump Removal, Stump Grinding, Emerald Ash Borer Treatment, Arborist Consultations, Systemic Tree Injection (Tree Healthcare).
Contact us today for a free estimate!
