It can be easy to underestimate the potential damage a tree can cause. If unstable, these giants can crush cars, ruin homes, or worse. As the certified arborists at Fairview Tree Service LLC in Ozark, AL, explain, understanding a few basic red flags can help you identify when a tree poses a risk and how to minimize the danger.

Certified Arborists Explain How to Identify Dangerous Trees

1. Branch Health

It’s more likely that a rogue branch or two will drop than an entire tree. However, discerning when a branch is about to fall or not can be difficult for the untrained eye. If a scratched limb doesn’t have a healthy green under-skin, it’s likely already dead. Dead or injured branches are often infested with insects and will break away when pressure is applied.

2. Dual Tree Trunks

At first glance, two trunks can seem like a boon to the integrity of a tree. This is only the case if the trees lock in a U shape. Tree trunks that connect in a V shape may not be dead or dying, but they aren’t completely stable. For proper tree maintenance, hire a residential tree service to either dispose of the tree or use a steel or elastic cable to strengthen the connection between the trunks.

3. Signs of Lightning

A single lightning strike has the potential to kill an entire tree. If only one side of the trunk appears to have been damaged, there is a chance that the tree may recover, though this is unlikely. Lightning will usually fry a tree from top to bottom.

A damaged tree is a serious hazard to everything around it. If you spot these warning signs on your Dale County, AL, property, make sure that it doesn’t cause harm by calling the certified arborists from Fairview Tree Service LLC at (334) 774-0794. Visit them online for more on how they can help, including tree care, stump removal, and lot clearing services.