Trees add beauty, shade, and value to your property – but when a tree becomes unsafe, diseased, or structurally unstable, it can quickly turn into a serious hazard. Use this guide to understand the key warning signs and decide when it’s time to call a professional for tree removal.
Quick checklist: top warning signs
If you notice one or more of these issues, the tree should be evaluated as soon as possible:
- Sudden or increasing lean, especially after a storm
- Large dead branches high in the canopy
- Deep cracks, cavities, or decay in the trunk
- Heaving soil or exposed, damaged roots
- Thinning foliage, dieback, or serious disease symptoms
- Evidence of heavy pest activity inside the wood
- Tree growing too close to structures or power lines
- Significant storm damage to main stems or leaders
1. The tree is leaning suddenly or more than usual
Some trees naturally lean as they grow, especially if they’ve reached for light over time. But a sudden lean, or a lean that continues to get worse, is a major red flag and often points to root failure.
Warning signs include:
- A lean greater than roughly 15° from vertical
- Freshly exposed soil or roots on one side of the tree
- Cracks or separation in the soil near the base
- The tree started leaning after a storm or high winds
When a leaning tree is close to a home, driveway, street, or play area, it should be inspected immediately. In many cases, tree removal is the safest option.
2. Large dead branches are present in the canopy
Dead branches can break and fall without warning, even on calm, sunny days. This is especially dangerous above parking areas, walkways, outdoor seating, and play spaces.
Look for:
- Branches with no leaves during the growing season
- Dry, brittle twigs that snap easily when bent
- Peeling or missing bark along major limbs
- Deadwood concentrated in the upper crown
When a large percentage of the canopy is dead, the tree may be too far gone for pruning alone. A professional can tell you whether strategic pruning will help or whether the tree is now a hazard that should be removed.
3. The trunk shows serious cracks, cavities, or decay
The trunk is the structural core of the tree. When it’s badly damaged or decayed, the tree can fail with little warning – especially during storms.
Common signs include:
- Vertical cracks or splits running along the trunk
- Large cavities or hollow sections you can see into
- Mushrooms or fungal conks growing from the trunk or root flare
- Soft, crumbly, or “punky” wood when probed
- Large sections of missing bark or sunken cankers
Fungal growth and internal rot often mean the tree is losing its strength from the inside out. In many cases, removal is the only way to eliminate the risk of trunk failure.
4. Root problems or signs of uprooting
Root issues are one of the most serious – and most overlooked – causes of tree failure. Because roots are underground, the first visible signs often show up after the tree has already become unstable.
Watch for:
- Soil lifting, cracking, or “heaving” on one side of the tree
- Exposed roots that appear broken, rotted, or severed
- Driveways, sidewalks, trenches, or grading cut through the root zone
- Heavy traffic or parking over the root area
When roots are damaged or failing, the entire tree is at risk. A professional may recommend emergency tree service if the tree is actively shifting or threatening nearby structures.
5. The tree is diseased beyond recovery
Many tree diseases can be managed if caught early. But once a disease has spread through a large portion of the crown or trunk, the tree may not recover – and could become a hazard over time.
Signs of advanced disease include:
- Thinning foliage and sparse leaf coverage
- Discolored leaves, spotting, or early leaf drop
- Dieback starting at branch tips and moving inward
- Oozing sap, sunken areas, or foul-smelling liquid on the trunk
If more than about half the tree shows these symptoms, your arborist may recommend removal and, in some cases, replanting a more suitable species for your site.
6. Severe pest infestations
Borers, beetles, carpenter ants, and termites can weaken a tree from the inside. By the time you notice surface damage, internal wood may already be compromised.
Look out for:
- Small, round or D-shaped exit holes in the bark
- Sawdust-like material (frass) at the base of the tree
- Loose, peeling, or falling bark panels
- Heavy woodpecker activity in concentrated areas
Some infestations can be treated, but when pests have significantly weakened the trunk or major limbs, removal is often the safest way to prevent sudden failure.
7. The tree is too close to structures or utilities
Even a healthy tree may need to be removed if it was planted in the wrong place. In tight residential lots across the Bay Area, clearance issues are extremely common.
Potential problems include:
- Large limbs hanging over your home, garage, or play areas
- Roots invading plumbing, foundations, or retaining walls
- Tree crowns encroaching on power lines or service drops
- No safe way to prune or reduce the tree without harming it
In these cases, planned removal and replanting with a more appropriate species can be a smart long-term solution that protects both your property and the tree canopy overall.
8. Storm damage has compromised the tree
Strong winds and saturated soils can cause hidden structural damage that doesn’t always show up right away. After a major storm, it’s a good idea to have larger trees inspected.
Storm-related warning signs:
- Split or twisted limbs
- Broken or missing leaders (the main top stem)
- Hanging branches caught up in the crown
- New cracks in the trunk or major limbs
If a damaged tree is close to a building, driveway, or public area, it may qualify as a hazard tree removal situation and should be dealt with promptly.
When is removal the right choice?
Tree removal is always a last resort. In many cases, trimming & pruning, cabling, or periodic maintenance can extend the life of a tree safely. We typically recommend removal when:
- The tree has significant structural damage or root failure
- It poses a clear risk to people, vehicles, buildings, or utilities
- Disease or pests have compromised most of the crown or trunk
- The cost of ongoing work outweighs the likelihood of recovery
A professional evaluation is the best way to balance safety, tree health, and your long-term plans for the property.
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