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Is my tree dangerous? Warning signs and when to call an arborist
A tree near your house can be a worry, especially after a storm. This guide shows the six signs to look for from the ground, a simple checklist, and when it is time to call a trained pro. You do not need to climb anything to use it.
By Umair Nawaz, founder of Lirevon Updated How we check facts
Safety first
- A tree or limb is on or near a power line: stay far away and call your electric utility. Assume every downed line is live.
- Someone is hurt, trapped or in danger, or a tree is on a house with people inside: call 911 first.
- Look only from the ground. Do not climb the tree, use a ladder against it or stand under a cracked or hanging limb.
- Do not use a chainsaw on storm-damaged or bent wood. Bent and trapped wood can spring back hard. This is work for a trained, insured crew.
This page helps you notice problems. It cannot tell you a tree is safe. Only someone who sees it in person can judge that.
Six warning signs
Walk slowly around the tree. Look up at the crown, along the trunk and down at the base and roots. Take photos as you go, so you can show a pro and compare later.
Dead or hanging limbs
Dead branches have no leaves in season or bark falling off. A broken limb caught in the crown is called a "hanger." Dead wood is brittle and can drop on a calm day.
Cracks and splits
Look for deep cracks in the trunk or where big limbs join, or two trunks meeting in a tight "V" with a seam. A new or widening crack needs a pro soon.
A change in lean
Many trees lean all their life, and that may be fine. The worry is a lean that is new or getting worse, often after wind or rain. Check for cracked or raised soil on the side away from the lean.
Mushrooms or fungus at the base
Mushrooms, shelf-like growths or soft, crumbly wood near the base can mean decay inside. You cannot judge how bad it is from the outside. A trained person can.
Cavities and hollow spots
Holes in the trunk or wood you can poke into point to decay. Some hollow trees stand for years, others do not. How much sound wood is left needs an expert to judge.
Roots lifting or cut
Roots pulling up, a heaving lawn near the trunk, or roots cut for a driveway, pipe or patio can weaken how well a tree holds itself up. Root problems are easy to miss.
One sign alone does not always mean danger. Two or more together, or any sign over a house, car, road or play area, is a good reason to get an expert opinion.
A ground-level checklist
Use this table as a rough guide for how soon to call. It is general information, not an inspection.
| What you see | How soon to call | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dead branches or a broken limb hanging in the crown | Soon, sooner if it is over a house, drive, path or play area | Keep people and cars out from under it. |
| New crack or split in the trunk or a main limb | Soon, within days if it is getting wider | Take a dated photo so you can show the change. |
| Lean that is new or getting worse | Right away, especially after a storm | Stay out of the zone it would fall into. |
| Soil cracked or lifted at the base | Right away | Can mean the roots are failing. |
| Mushrooms, shelf fungus or soft wood at the base | Soon | Decay may be inside where you cannot see it. |
| Cavity, hollow spot or wood you can poke into | Soon | An expert can check how much sound wood is left. |
| Roots cut by digging or building work | Soon | Tell the arborist what was dug and when. |
| Tree or limb touching a power line | Call the utility now | Do not go near it. Call 911 if anyone is in danger. |
After a storm, start with the after-a-storm guide. If something cannot wait, read about emergency tree service.
When to call an arborist
An arborist is trained in tree care and tree health. Many tree services have one. Call one when:
- You see any sign from the checklist on a tree that could hit a home, car, road or play area.
- Something changed: a new crack, lean or lifted soil, especially after a storm.
- There has been digging, building or a new driveway near the roots.
- You are not sure. A look from a pro is better than a guess when a large tree stands near people.
Pick a local company with proof of insurance, and ask who will assess the tree and what training they have. Our guide on how to hire a tree service and the list of questions to ask walk you through it. Costs depend on tree size, location, access and the work needed, so get two or three written quotes. We do not list prices.
Ask for the findings and the quote in writing. If the advice is removal, a second opinion is fair. Some towns need a permit even for a risky tree; see tree permits. If a tree may hit a home, read trees and insurance. Both are short explanations, not legal or insurance advice. More guides are on the homeowners page.
Common questions
How can I tell if my tree is going to fall?
Nobody can say for sure, but a new or worsening lean, lifting soil at the base, big cracks and decay raise the risk. Keep people away and call a certified arborist.
Is a leaning tree always dangerous?
No. Many trees grow with a lean and stay stable for decades. The danger sign is a change: a lean that is new, or one that gets worse, especially after a storm or heavy rain.
Do mushrooms at the base mean the tree is rotting?
They can. Mushrooms and shelf fungus near the base or on roots are often a sign of decay inside the tree. Not every mushroom means trouble, so ask an arborist to check.
Can a hollow tree still be safe?
Sometimes. It depends on how much solid wood is left and where the tree would fall. An arborist can test this.
Should I climb up and cut off a dead branch myself?
No. Do not climb the tree, and do not use a chainsaw on a hanging or storm-damaged limb. Dead wood is brittle and can fall without warning. Call a local insured pro.
What do I do if a tree is touching a power line?
Stay away from the tree and the line, and keep others away. Call your electric utility. If anyone is hurt or in danger, or there are sparks or fire, call 911.
What is an arborist, and how is that different from a tree service?
An arborist is trained in tree care and tree health. Many tree services have one on staff. Ask who will assess your tree and what training they have.
How much does it cost to have a tree checked or removed?
It depends on the tree size, where it stands, how hard it is to reach, and what needs to be done. We do not list prices. Get two or three written quotes from local insured pros.
Is my neighbor responsible if their tree falls on my property?
It depends on your state, the facts and your insurance policy. This is a short explanation, not legal or insurance advice. Talk to your insurer and, if needed, a lawyer. Our trees and insurance page explains the basics.
Do I need a permit to remove a dangerous tree?
Some towns require one, even for risky trees, and some have emergency rules. Check with your city or county office. Our tree permits page has more.
Does Lirevon inspect trees?
No. Lirevon does not do tree work and does not list or rank tree companies. We help tree service owners answer their calls. To find a local pro, search Google Maps and read their reviews.
Keep reading: is my leaning tree going to fall, how to tell if a tree is dead, common tree pests and diseases, our tree species guides, and what a tree risk assessment is.
This page is general information. It is not a tree inspection, and it is not legal or insurance advice. Lirevon does not do tree work.
Find local pros on Google Maps and read their reviews
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