As a commercial property manager or HOA board member along the Wasatch Front, your landscape is one of your most valuable assets—but it can also be a significant source of liability.
With Utah’s unpredictable canyon winds, heavy, wet spring snowstorms, and summer droughts, mature trees on commercial properties face unique stressors. Waiting for a branch to fail before calling an arborist is a reactive strategy that often leads to property damage, tenant disputes, and expensive emergency removal fees.
The key to mitigating liability is proactive risk assessment. Here are the top warning signs that indicate you need to bring in a vetted, commercial-grade arborist from the Nurture Trees directory.
1. The “Canyon Wind” Lean
While some trees naturally grow at a slight angle to reach for sunlight, a sudden or newly developing lean is a major red flag. If you manage properties near the mouths of Parley’s, Big Cottonwood, or Weber canyons, your trees are subjected to severe wind loading.
What to look for: Inspect the soil at the base of the tree on the side opposite the lean. If you see the soil heaving, cracking, or lifting, the root system is actively failing. This tree is an immediate hazard and requires an emergency assessment.
2. V-Shaped Crotches and Included Bark
The structure of where branches attach to the main trunk determines the tree’s strength under the weight of Utah’s “lake effect” snow.
What to look for: A strong branch attachment forms a “U” shape. A weak attachment forms a tight “V” shape. Over time, bark becomes trapped between the two growing stems in a V-crotch (known as included bark), preventing the wood from fusing together. These tight junctions are notorious for splitting down the middle during heavy snow loads or high winds. A commercial arborist can mitigate this risk by installing dynamic cabling and bracing systems to support the canopy.
3. Fungal Growth and Root Decay
Healthy trees do not grow mushrooms on their bark. If you see fungal fruiting bodies (mushrooms or conks) growing near the base of the trunk or directly on the roots, it indicates advanced internal decay.
What to look for: Pay special attention to the “root flare”—the area where the trunk expands and enters the ground. Commercial landscaping crews often make the mistake of piling mulch high against the trunk (known as “volcano mulching”), which traps moisture and causes the critical structural roots to rot. By the time fungus is visible, the tree’s structural integrity is already severely compromised.
4. Deadwood and Canopy Dieback
It is normal for mature trees to shed a few small, shaded branches. However, large, leafless branches in the upper canopy during the spring and summer are a major safety concern for parking lots and pedestrian walkways.
What to look for: Look for “stag-heading,” where the top branches of the tree are completely bare and look like antlers. This indicates severe root stress or disease. Deadwood is brittle and will inevitably fall. Regular, scheduled commercial pruning by an ISA Certified Arborist ensures these hazards are removed before they drop onto a tenant’s vehicle.