How to Spot a Hazardous Tree Before It Falls

Most tree failures don't happen without warning. The problem is that the signs are easy to miss — or easy to explain away — until the tree comes down during a storm and lands on your car, your fence, or worse. Knowing what to look for can save you from a costly, dangerous surprise. Here's a practical guide to spotting hazard trees before they become an emergency.

Warning Signs You Can See from the Ground

You don't need to be an arborist to notice the most obvious red flags. Dead branches are one of the clearest signs of a tree under stress — and in Florida's climate, a few dead limbs can quickly become a crown that's more dead than alive. Look up. If more than 25-30% of the canopy looks bare, brown, or brittle while surrounding trees are leafy and green, that tree needs attention.

Cracks in the trunk, especially vertical splits or cracks that run through major branch unions (the point where large limbs connect to the trunk), are serious structural concerns. These aren't just cosmetic — they indicate internal weakness that significantly increases failure risk during high winds. The same goes for large cavities or hollow sections in the trunk. A tree can live with a cavity for years, but at some point the remaining wood isn't enough to support the tree's weight.

Fungal growth — mushrooms, shelf fungi, or conks — at the base of a tree or on the trunk signals active wood decay inside. These fruiting bodies appear after significant internal rot has already developed, which means by the time you see them, the structural integrity of that wood is already compromised.

Root and Soil Clues

Root problems are harder to spot because they're underground, but they leave surface clues. Soil heaving around the base of a tree — where the ground looks pushed up or cracked in a radius around the trunk — means the root system is shifting. This is common after extended wet periods like Florida's rainy season and suggests the tree may no longer be well-anchored.

Exposed or severed roots from construction, grade changes, or repeated lawn equipment contact weaken the tree's foundation. If a tree was recently near any excavation or if you've noticed root damage from landscaping work, it's worth having the tree evaluated sooner rather than later.

Other Red Flags

• A lean that has developed or worsened recently — especially after a storm or wet period
• Bark that's peeling in large sections without obvious cause (not just normal seasonal shedding)
• Branches that are cracked at the union but still attached — these are called "hangers" and can fall without warning
• A tree that has been topped or severely pruned in the past, leaving large stubs that are now decaying
• Insect activity or sawdust around the base, which may indicate borers or other destructive pests

If any of these signs describe a tree in your yard, don't wait for storm season to make the call for you. Fricke's Tree Service serves homeowners throughout the Orlando metro area — from Sanford to Orange City to Oviedo — and we're here to assess, advise, and act. Call us at (321) 240-5613 or schedule a free estimate.