Most trees are perfectly safe and live long, healthy lives. But trees are living things, and age, disease, storms and building work can all weaken them over time. Spotting the warning signs early gives you the chance to deal with a problem before a branch or a whole tree comes down.
Spring and early summer, when trees are in full leaf, is a good time to take a careful look at the trees around your home.
Fungi on the trunk or around the base
Bracket fungi growing on the trunk, or mushrooms appearing around the base of a tree, are often a sign of decay inside the wood or roots. Some fungi are relatively harmless, while others break down the structural wood that holds the tree up. The fungus you can see is only the fruiting body: most of the organism is inside the tree.
If you see fungi on a tree near a house, path, road or play area, it is worth having it identified and the tree assessed.
Cracks and splits
Look for vertical cracks in the trunk or main branches, and splits where the trunk forks into two or more stems. Tight, V shaped forks with bark trapped inside them, known as included bark, are a common weak point and can split apart in high winds.
Dead branches and a thinning crown
Dead branches stand out in summer because they carry no leaves. A few small dead twigs are normal, but large dead limbs can fall without warning. A crown that is thinner than usual, with small or yellowing leaves, can be a sign of root problems, disease or drought stress.
Leaning trees
Many trees grow with a natural lean and are perfectly stable. What matters is a change. A tree that has started to lean recently, especially with cracked or raised soil on the opposite side, may have damaged roots and should be checked as soon as possible.
Damage to the roots
Roots are easy to forget because we cannot see them. Digging trenches, laying driveways, building extensions or raising soil levels near a tree can damage roots and affect its stability for years afterwards. Signs of root trouble include dieback in the crown, fungi at the base and lifting soil.
Cavities and hollows
Hollow trees are not always dangerous. Many old trees are hollow and stand for decades. But a large cavity, especially one combined with fungi or cracks, reduces the strength of the trunk. An arborist can assess how much sound wood remains.
Ivy and dense growth
Ivy does not usually harm a healthy tree, and it is valuable for wildlife. However, heavy ivy can hide defects and add weight and wind resistance to a crown. If a tree is covered, it is harder to see what is going on underneath.
Your responsibilities as a tree owner
If you own land with trees on it, you have a duty of care to make sure they are reasonably safe for people nearby, including neighbours and passers-by. Regular checks, and acting on any warning signs, are part of that responsibility.
What happens next?
A dangerous looking tree does not always need felling. Depending on what we find, options include removing dead or weak branches, reducing the crown to lower the load, cable bracing to support weak forks, or monitoring the tree over time. Felling is the last resort, not the first. Our posts on pruning and reductions and safe tree removal explain the options.
Worried about a tree in Worcestershire?
Faithful Tree Care can inspect trees across Worcester, Worcestershire and Herefordshire and give you clear, honest advice. If a tree looks like an immediate danger, call 07828 786300. For everything else, send us an enquiry and we will arrange a visit.
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