Is your tree safe? Is that towering tree next to the road safe? With so many falling trees making the news in Southern California, it has caused many people to look at trees with a more attentive eye. Unfortunately it is hard to foretell if a tree is likely to fall. Sometimes seemingly healthy and well-rooted trees suddenly fall, but there are tell-tale signs that a particular tree is frail and more likely to cause harm. So how do you know?
Many factors can attribute to trees turning dangerous. Some elements can be weather-related, such as strong wind and too little water (drought) or too much water (flood). Other factors can be related to infrequent physical maintenance, past injuries, pests, fungus, and disease. In the case of physical maintenance, depending on the species, it is important to keep your tree well-trimmed. Can you see through your tree? If the answer is “no,” then that indicates that the foliage is so thick that wind will have a difficult time passing through. A well-pruned tree will fair much better in a storm than its untrimmed counterpart.
Aside from the tree’s upper density and limb health, another important spot to be attuned to is the base and root structure. Having a questionable canopy is one thing, but the base of the tree is its foundation. While you typically cannot see a tree’s root structure, sometimes any underground ailments may manifest themselves at the base of the trunk. If mushrooms are present, then DANGER DANGER! It is likely that a fungus, such as white rot, is eating away at the root system, thus weakening its grip to the ground. Think of the root structure as a tree’s anchor. Without it, nothing would keep it up.
Assessing the ground around the tree is also important. Large cracks in the dirt could indicate that the tree might be leaning and about to fall. This is more prevalent in storms, as the rain loosens the soil and high winds push the tree and lift the roots.
The last top indicator that we look for in a tree assessment is the physical nature of the bark and hardwood. Sometimes cracks will appear in a crotch, an area on a tree where a single trunk splits into two, forming a “Y” shape. When a crosswind comes, the branch can twist and tear away from the tree. It is similar to opening a twist top on a container. Pull upwards with all your might and you’ll fail. But lightly twist and voila! Off! A strong branch union will look like a large U, while weak unions look like a V. The V-shaped junctions do not allow the wood fibers to properly connect since the bark becomes stuck and limits the amount of attachment wood.
If you have a tree that you’re concerned about, our Certified Arborists are available for a free assessment. If a tree is on city property, you can report it by calling the San Diego City Street Division at 619.527.7500.
