7 Tree Warning Signs Spokane Homeowners Should Never Ignore
You water your lawn, trim your hedges, maybe even aerate once a year. But when was the last time you really looked at your trees?
Most of us don’t give them much thought until a branch comes down in a windstorm or a neighbor mentions something looks off. By then, the damage is often done. A tree doesn’t just collapse overnight. It sends signals, sometimes subtle, that homeowners can spot if they know what to look for. Catching those early can save you thousands in property damage, not to mention keeping your family and home safe.
At Delk Management, we’ve been assessing trees across Eastern Washington since 2011, and we’ve seen what happens when warning signs go unnoticed. This guide walks you through seven red flags that should prompt a closer look, and what to do once you spot them.
Why Tree Warning Signs Matter More in Eastern Washington’s Climate
Our region throws curveballs that most tree care guides don’t account for. We get scorching, dry summers followed by heavy snow loads in winter. Add in our volcanic ash soils, which drain fast but don’t hold nutrients well, and you’ve got conditions that stress even mature trees.
When a tree is already struggling with drought or nutrient deficiency, it’s more vulnerable to disease, pests, and structural failure. A healthy Douglas fir in Oregon might shrug off a windstorm, but the same species here, dealing with water stress and compacted soil, could lose a major limb. That’s why knowing the signs a tree is dying or compromised is critical for Spokane-area homeowners.
Trees also decline differently depending on species. Ponderosa pines show stress through needle drop and bark beetles. Maples might develop cankers or crown dieback. Understanding what’s normal for your tree, and what isn’t, is half the battle.
Sign #1: Dead or Hanging Branches
Dead tree branches are the most visible warning sign, and they’re also one of the most dangerous. A single hanging limb, also called a widow-maker, can weigh hundreds of pounds. If it’s already detached from the main canopy but caught in other branches, it’s only a matter of time before it falls.
How do you tell if a branch is dead? Snap a small twig. If it’s green inside, it’s alive. If it’s brown and brittle, it’s gone. Dead branches also lack leaves in spring and summer, and the bark often peels away easily.
One or two small dead branches on a mature tree isn’t unusual. But if you’re seeing multiple large limbs with no foliage, or if dead wood is concentrated on one side of the canopy, that’s a sign the tree is in decline. Sometimes it’s a root issue. Other times, it’s disease or an insect infestation working its way through the tree.
Don’t wait for a windstorm to test whether those branches will hold. If you’re noticing a pattern of dieback, it’s time to bring in arborist services in Eastern Washington to assess the full picture.
Sign #2: Significant Lean — When It’s a Problem
Not every leaning tree is a hazard. Some species naturally grow at an angle, especially on slopes or in areas where they’re competing for light. But a sudden lean, or one that’s getting worse year over year, is a tree hazard you can’t ignore.
If a tree has always leaned slightly and the soil around the base is stable, it’s probably fine. But if you notice exposed roots on one side, cracks in the soil, or a recent shift in angle after a storm, that tree’s root system may be failing. This is especially common after heavy rain saturates the ground, making it easier for a compromised root ball to tip.
Trees leaning toward structures, power lines, or high-traffic areas are automatically higher risk. Even if the lean seems stable now, it’s worth getting a tree risk assessment to understand whether root anchorage is sound.
A certified arborist can measure the angle, check for root plate movement, and determine if the tree can be stabilized with cabling or if removal is the safer call. Leaning danger isn’t always obvious until it’s too late, so err on the side of caution.
Sign #3: Cracks, Splits, or Cavities in the Trunk
The trunk is your tree’s structural backbone. When you start seeing vertical cracks, deep splits, or hollow cavities, the tree’s ability to support its own weight is compromised.
Small surface cracks in bark are normal as trees age. What you’re looking for are deep seams that run vertically up the trunk, especially if they’re widening or if you can see internal wood decay. These are signs the tree is under mechanical stress and may be splitting from the inside out.
Cavities, whether caused by rot, wildlife, or old wounds, weaken the trunk’s load-bearing capacity. A tree can survive with a cavity for years, but once the hollowed area exceeds a certain percentage of the trunk’s diameter, it becomes unstable. This is one of those sick tree symptoms that requires professional evaluation, not guesswork.
If you’re seeing splits near the base or cavities large enough to fit your hand inside, don’t wait. That’s a clear indicator the tree needs a tree safety inspection before the next big windstorm rolls through.
Sign #4: Mushrooms or Fungi at the Base
Mushrooms sprouting at the base of your tree aren’t just unsightly. They’re the fruiting body of fungi that feed on decaying wood, which means there’s rot happening inside the trunk or root system.
Not all fungi are created equal. Some species indicate surface-level decay that’s manageable. Others, like honey fungus or armillaria, are aggressive root pathogens that can kill a tree in a matter of years. The presence of conks, shelf-like fungi that grow out of the trunk, is a strong sign of internal heartwood decay.
Once fungi move in, the damage is irreversible. The tree might still be alive, but its structural integrity is shot. If you’re seeing repeated mushroom growth year after year, especially around the root flare, it’s time to assess whether that tree is still safe to keep.
Our ISA TRAQ-qualified arborists can identify the fungus species and determine how far the rot has spread. In some cases, the tree can be pruned and monitored. In others, removal is the only safe option. Either way, it’s not something you can fix with fertilizer or watering.
Sign #5: Root Damage or Heaving Soil
You can’t see most of a tree’s root system, but you can watch for the signs it’s failing. Root damage happens more often than people think, usually from construction, trenching, soil compaction, or even routine lawn care that cuts into surface roots.
Heaving soil is one of the clearest red flags. If the ground around the trunk is lifting, cracking, or visibly displaced, the tree’s roots are losing their grip. This often happens when a tree is top-heavy and the root plate starts to shift, especially after saturating rains or high winds.
You might also notice exposed roots, mushrooms near the base (as mentioned earlier), or a sudden increase in dead branches in the canopy. These are all signs the tree is struggling below ground and compensating by shedding weight up top.
Root damage is tricky because by the time you see the symptoms, the problem is already advanced. That’s why regular tree safety inspections are worth it if you have mature trees near your home or driveway. Catching root issues early can sometimes mean the difference between saving a tree and removing it.
Sign #6: Bark Loss, Deep Wounds, or Cankers
Bark protects the living tissue underneath. When large sections of bark are missing, cracked, or peeling away, the tree is exposed to disease, pests, and environmental stress.
Cankers are sunken, discolored areas on the trunk or branches caused by infection or physical injury. They disrupt the flow of water and nutrients, and if they girdle the trunk (wrap all the way around), the tree will die. Cankers often ooze sap, appear darker than surrounding bark, or have visible fungal growth.
Deep wounds from lawnmowers, weed whackers, or storm damage can also compromise a tree’s defenses. Even if the wound looks old and healed over, internal decay might still be spreading. This is one of those situations where how to tell if a tree is dying comes down to more than what you see on the surface.
If bark loss is widespread or if cankers are multiplying, the tree is in serious decline. Some species, like birches and aspens, are especially prone to canker diseases in our climate. Knowing when to remove a tree often starts with recognizing that the damage is too far gone to reverse.
Sign #7: A History of Storm Damage
Trees don’t forget. Every broken branch, lightning strike, or ice storm leaves lasting damage, even if the tree leafs out again the following spring.
If your tree has been through multiple severe weather events, the cumulative stress weakens its structure. Repeated topping or improper pruning compounds the problem, creating weak branch unions that are prone to failure. Over time, the tree becomes a liability, even if it still looks reasonably healthy.
Storm-damaged trees also tend to develop internal decay faster because wounds provide entry points for fungi and insects. If a tree has lost major limbs or had its crown significantly reduced due to storm damage, it’s worth getting a commercial tree inspections or residential evaluation to see if it’s still structurally sound.
We’ve seen too many cases where a homeowner assumes a tree is fine after a storm, only to have it fail during the next wind event. Once a tree has a track record of damage, it deserves closer scrutiny, especially if it’s near a structure or power line.
DIY Check vs. Calling a Certified Arborist
There’s a lot you can spot on your own. Walk around your tree. Look up into the canopy for dead wood, check the trunk for cracks or cavities, and inspect the base for fungi or heaving soil. Snap a few twigs to test for life. Take note of any recent changes, sudden leans, or new damage after storms.
But there’s a limit to what a visual check can tell you. Internal decay, root plate failure, and advanced disease often aren’t visible from the outside. That’s where a hazard tree evaluation from a certified arborist makes the difference.
At Delk Management, our ISA TRAQ-qualified team uses specialized tools and training to assess tree risk. We measure lean angles, probe for internal rot, evaluate root anchorage, and assign risk ratings based on the tree’s condition and proximity to targets like homes, driveways, or play areas. This is the kind of arborist tree inspection that helps you make an informed decision, not a panicked one.
If your tree checks more than one box on this list, don’t guess. A professional assessment costs far less than property damage or an insurance claim.
What to Do If You Spot One of These Signs
First, don’t panic. Spotting one of these warning signs doesn’t automatically mean the tree has to come down. But it does mean you need to act.
Document what you’re seeing. Take photos of dead branches, cracks, fungi, or soil heaving. Note when the change first appeared and whether it’s getting worse. If the tree is near a structure, driveway, or power line, that context matters when an arborist evaluates risk.
Next, avoid making it worse. Don’t try to remove large dead branches yourself, especially if they’re high up or entangled. Don’t apply wound dressing or trunk paint, as those can trap moisture and accelerate decay. And definitely don’t try to “stabilize” a leaning tree with ropes or stakes unless you know what you’re doing.
The best next step is a professional tree risk assessment. Our team at Delk Management has been serving Spokane and the surrounding region for over 14 years, and we’ve seen every kind of tree hazard this climate can throw at a property. We’ll walk you through your options, whether that’s pruning, cabling, monitoring, or removal, and we’ll help you understand the best time to trim trees in Eastern Washington if maintenance is part of the solution.
And if removal is necessary, we handle that too. Our tree removal near Spokane service includes safe takedowns, stump grinding, and cleanup, so you’re not left with a mess.
Trees are assets when they’re healthy, but liabilities when they’re not. Knowing how to know if a tree is dead or compromised is the first step. Getting professional help is the second. Don’t wait until a branch comes through your roof to take it seriously.
If you’ve noticed any of these signs on your property, contact us today. We’ll schedule an inspection, give you a clear assessment, and help you decide what’s best for your home and your landscape.
