How to Tell If a Tree Is Hazardous?

A tree can look healthy from a distance and still have problems that are hard to see from the ground. Knowing the common warning signs can help you decide when to keep your distance and ask a qualified local professional to take a look.

No article can tell you whether a particular tree is safe. Only an on site assessment by someone with the right training and equipment can do that. Your job is to notice possible problems and stay out of the way.

Warning Signs to Watch For

You do not need to get close to a tree to spot many of the clues that something may be wrong. Look from a safe distance, ideally from inside your home or from another property.

Dead branches still attached to the tree, especially large ones high up
Branches that have dropped recently without an obvious cause such as a storm
Cracks, splits or deep seams in the trunk or where large limbs meet it
A tree that leans suddenly, or leans more than it used to
Mushrooms or other fungus growing at the base of the trunk
Soft, crumbly or hollow sounding wood near the base
Raised or cracked soil around the base, which can suggest the roots are moving
Bark falling away in large pieces
Several large dead limbs on one side of the tree

Any one of these signs may mean nothing. Several together are usually a reason to keep your distance and ask for an assessment.

Why the Roots and Soil Matter

Root problems are often invisible, which is part of what makes them serious. A tree can be standing on roots that have been cut, rotted or crushed, and the trunk may still look fine.

Things that can damage roots include construction work, paving, repeated driving over the root area, changes in drainage, and soil that has been built up or dug out around the trunk. If any of that has happened near a tree on your property, it is worth mentioning to a professional.

Raised ground, a mound of soil that was not there before, or a gap opening between the soil and the trunk are signs that the root plate may be shifting. Stay away from the tree and anything it could reach.

Leaning Trees and Storm Damage

Some trees grow with a natural lean and are fine. What matters is change. A tree that has started to lean, or leans more than it did before a storm, may be failing at the roots or trunk.

After a storm, also watch for:

Hanging branches caught in the canopy
Limbs resting on a roof, fence or another tree
A trunk that has shifted in the ground
Cracks that were not there before

Treat any tree that is touching or near a power line as a serious hazard. Never approach it, and never try to move a branch away from a line. Contact your electric utility or emergency services and let them handle it.

Why a Professional Assessment Matters

Deciding whether a tree is hazardous usually involves judging the species, the history of the site, the size and position of the tree, what it could fall on, and how much decay is present.

That is a job for someone who can look at the tree in person, often with tools and climbing or lifting equipment.

A qualified local professional can also advise on whether the tree can be made safer, whether removal is the sensible option, and what permits or notifications may apply.

Rules about tree work vary widely by city, county and state, so check with your local government before any work begins.

Do not try to cut, climb or remove a hazardous tree yourself. This is not a task for a homeowner with a ladder and a saw.

Protecting People and Property While You Wait

Until a professional has looked at the tree, treat the area around it as off limits.

Keep children, pets and visitors away from the tree and its shadow line
Move cars, bins and garden furniture out of reach if it is safe to do so
Do not park or stand under the canopy
Stay out of the way if crews or utility workers arrive
If the tree is near a power line, call the utility and follow their advice

If a tree has already fallen and caused damage, your insurer is often the first call. Ask what they need, and keep notes and photos from a safe position.

Debris pickup rules differ from place to place, so check with your city or county about how fallen wood and branches are handled in your area.

Next steps

Start by looking at your trees from a safe distance and noting anything that has changed. If you see warning signs, or if you are simply unsure, contact a qualified local tree professional for an assessment and check any local rules that may apply.

If a tree has already come down or is threatening a structure, stay clear and call the people who handle emergencies in your area. You can also browse the Emergency Tree Removal Directory homepage to find listings by state, including emergency tree removal tree services in Washington and emergency tree removal tree services in North Carolina.