Utah’s “Canyon Winds” and sudden spring snowstorms are the ultimate stress tests for your trees. While a tree might look healthy from your kitchen window, there are often subtle signs that it is becoming a structural liability.
If you notice any of these seven signs, it’s time to have a professional inspection:
- Fresh Cracks in the Trunk: Deep splits that go through the bark are a sign of internal structural failure.
- A Sudden Lean: If a tree that used to be straight is suddenly tilting, or if the soil is mounding at the base (heaving), the root system is failing.
- Dead Wood in the Canopy: Large, leafless branches are “widow-makers.” They can fall without warning, even on a calm day.
- Fungus at the Base: Mushrooms or “conks” growing at the roots or on the trunk often indicate internal rot and decay.
- Co-dominant Stems: “V-shaped” unions where two main trunks meet are much weaker than a single solid trunk and are prone to splitting during heavy snow.
- Nearby Construction: If you’ve recently had a driveway poured or a fence installed near the tree, the root system may have been severed or compacted.
- Hollow Cavities: Large holes in the trunk can be home to wildlife, but they also mean the tree’s structural “pipe” is thinning.
Immediate Action: If a storm is rolling in and you are concerned about a tree overhanging your home, use the Emergency Services filter on the Nurture Trees directory to find local crews equipped for 24/7 rapid response.