How to Tell If a Tree Is Dangerous: Warning Signs
That tree in your backyard has been there for decades. Lately, something feels off. Maybe it’s leaning more than it used to, or you’ve noticed bark peeling away. You’re wondering if it’s a problem or just normal aging.
At Delk Management, we’ve been assessing trees across Eastern Washington since 2011. Some warning signs are obvious. Others are subtle but just as dangerous. Here’s how to tell if a tree is dangerous and what to do about it before it becomes a bigger problem.
Why Tree Hazard Assessment Matters in Eastern Washington
Eastern Washington’s climate is hard on trees. Our freeze-thaw cycles crack trunks and weaken branches. High winds from spring and fall storms put stress on already compromised trees. Add in our semi-arid summers, which stress even mature trees, and you’ve got conditions that accelerate decline.
A hazard tree assessment isn’t just about protecting property. It’s about safety. A falling branch or toppling tree can cause injuries, damage structures, and block roads. Understanding signs a tree is dying helps you act before an emergency happens.
Our tree services in Eastern Washington include ANSI A300-compliant inspections that identify risk before it becomes a crisis.
Sign #1: Visible Dead or Hanging Branches (Widow Makers)
Dead branches are the most visible warning sign and one of the most dangerous. A single hanging limb, called a widow maker, can weigh hundreds of pounds. If it’s already detached but caught in the canopy, it’s only a matter of time before it falls.
How to tell if a tree is dead in specific branches: snap a small twig. If it’s green inside, it’s alive. If it’s brown and brittle all the way through, it’s dead. Dead branches also lack leaves in spring and summer, and bark often peels away easily.
One or two small dead branches on a mature tree is normal. But if you’re seeing multiple large limbs with no foliage, or if dead wood is concentrated on one side, the tree is in decline. Don’t wait for wind to test whether those branches will hold.
Sign #2: A Leaning Tree — When to Worry
Not every leaning tree is dangerous. Some species naturally grow at an angle. But a sudden lean, or one that’s worsening year over year, signals root failure.
If a tree has always leaned slightly and the soil around the base is stable, it’s likely fine. But if you notice exposed roots on one side, cracks in the soil, or recent shifts in angle after a storm, the root system may be failing.
Trees leaning toward structures, power lines, or high-traffic areas are higher risk. A tree health assessment can measure the angle, check root plate stability, and determine if the tree can be cabled or needs removal.
Sign #3: Cracks, Splits, and Cavities in the Trunk
The trunk is the tree’s structural backbone. Deep cracks, vertical splits, or hollow cavities compromise the tree’s ability to support its own weight.
Small surface cracks are normal as trees age. What you’re looking for are deep seams running vertically up the trunk, especially if they’re widening. If you can see internal wood decay or if the crack goes all the way through, the tree is structurally compromised.
Cavities, caused by rot or old wounds, weaken load-bearing capacity. A tree can survive with a cavity for years, but once the hollowed area exceeds a certain percentage of trunk diameter, it becomes unstable. This is a clear sign you need a tree risk assessment before the next windstorm.
Sign #4: Bark Falling Off or Visible Decay
Bark falling off tree in large sections is a red flag. Bark protects the living tissue underneath. When it peels away or falls off, the tree is exposed to disease, pests, and environmental stress.
Missing bark on one side of the trunk often indicates internal decay. Cankers, sunken or discolored areas caused by infection or injury, disrupt water and nutrient flow. If a canker girdles the trunk, wrapping all the way around, the tree will die.
Deep wounds from lawnmowers, construction, or storm damage also compromise defenses. Even if a wound looks healed on the surface, internal decay might still be spreading. How to tell if a tree is dead from bark damage: if large sections are missing and underlying wood is soft or discolored, the tree is in serious decline.
Sign #5: Root Problems and Soil Heaving
You can’t see most of a tree’s root system, but you can watch for signs it’s failing. Root damage happens from construction, trenching, soil compaction, or routine lawn care that cuts into surface roots.
Soil heaving is one of the clearest warnings. If the ground around the trunk is lifting, cracking, or visibly displaced, the tree’s roots are losing their grip. This happens when a tree is top-heavy and the root plate starts to shift, especially after heavy rain or high winds.
Exposed roots, mushrooms near the base, or a sudden increase in dead branches are all signs the tree is struggling below ground. For commercial properties, tree root problems on commercial landscapes can affect sidewalks, parking lots, and building foundations.
Sign #6: Fungal Growth at the Base or on Branches
Mushrooms or conks (shelf-like fungi) growing at the base or on the trunk are signs of internal decay. Fungi feed on dead or dying wood, which means rot is happening inside the tree.
Not all fungi indicate the same level of danger. Some species affect only surface wood. Others, like honey fungus or armillaria, are aggressive root pathogens that can kill a tree within a few years. Conks growing directly from the trunk signal heartwood decay, which compromises structural integrity.
Once fungi move in, the damage is irreversible. The tree might still leaf out, but its stability is shot. A tree stability assessment determines how far the rot has spread and whether removal is necessary.
Sign #7: Dieback at the Crown (Top of the Tree)
Crown dieback, where branches at the top of the tree are losing leaves and dying back, indicates serious stress. This happens when roots are damaged, disease is present, or the tree is slowly shutting down.
Dieback typically starts at the top and works its way down. If more than 25% of the crown is dead or thinning significantly, the tree is in decline. This is common in older trees or those dealing with prolonged drought, pest infestations, or root damage.
A tree health assessment can identify the cause, but advanced crown dieback often means the tree is past saving. Our ISA-certified arborists provide honest evaluations based on ANSI standards, not sales pressure.
What to Do If You Spot a Dangerous Tree on Your Property
First, 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 during evaluation.
Next, avoid making it worse. Don’t try to remove large dead branches yourself, especially high up or tangled in the canopy. Don’t apply wound dressing or trunk paint, they trap moisture and accelerate decay. And don’t try to “stabilize” a leaning tree with ropes unless you know what you’re doing.
The safest next step is a professional tree safety inspection. Our team has been serving Eastern Washington for over 14 years. We evaluate risk using ANSI A300 standards, walk you through your options, whether pruning, cabling, monitoring, or removal, and provide clear recommendations.
For timing guidance on maintenance, see our guide on tree pruning best practices.
When to Call a Certified Arborist vs. Handle It Yourself
You can spot obvious problems 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. These observations help you decide if professional assessment is needed.
But there’s a limit to what a visual check reveals. Internal decay, root plate failure, and advanced disease aren’t always visible from the outside. A certified arborist uses specialized tools and training to assess tree risk accurately.
At Delk Management, our ISA Certified Arborist team measures lean angles, probes for rot, evaluates root anchorage, and assigns risk ratings based on the tree’s condition and proximity to targets like homes and driveways. This level of tree inspection near me ensures you make informed decisions, not panicked ones.
For larger properties with multiple trees, our commercial tree inspection service provides comprehensive site assessments.
If your tree checks more than one box on this list, don’t wait. Contact us for an assessment. We’ll evaluate the tree, explain your options, and help you decide the safest path forward.
