A dangerous tree usually gives warning signs before it fails. Here are seven to watch for, and what to do if you spot them in your yard.
Most trees lean a little, but a sudden lean, or one that is getting worse, is a red flag, especially if the soil or roots on one side are lifting. It can mean the root system is failing.
Big dead limbs, sometimes called widow-makers, can drop without warning. If a tree has significant deadwood over a house, driveway or play area, it should be dealt with.
Vertical cracks in the trunk, or splits where large limbs join, weaken a tree and can lead to sudden failure.
Mushrooms and shelf-like conks growing on the trunk or roots often signal internal decay, which hollows out the wood you cannot see.
A trunk that sounds hollow or has soft, crumbling wood has lost strength, even if the tree still has leaves.
Cut, crushed or lifting roots, often from nearby digging or a lean, reduce how well a tree can hold itself up.
A tree that keeps shedding limbs, especially in calm weather, is telling you something is wrong.
If you notice one or more of these signs, do not wait for a storm to find out how serious it is. Book a hazardous tree assessment and we will tell you honestly whether the tree can be made safe or needs to come down.
Learn more about our tree removal service if a tree does need to go.
Book a free on-site assessment, or call now for tree service across Greater Edmonton.