A tree does not announce when it is going to fall. But it usually gives warning signs before it does.
If a tree on your property shows one or more of the following eight signs, it needs a professional look, not another season of monitoring. The cost of an assessment is nothing compared to the cost of a tree through your roof.
If you’re in Smyrna or Cobb County right now and need emergency help: call 470-994-5343.
Sign 1: A Sudden or Unexplained Lean
A tree that has leaned consistently for years is a different problem from a tree that shifted noticeably overnight or after a storm.
Sudden lean means something changed structurally: root failure, internal decay, or soil saturation that destabilized the base. A shift of even 10 to 15 degrees toward your house or a primary structure warrants a same-day call. Do not wait to see if it settles back.
Sign 2: Cracks or Splits in the Main Trunk
Large vertical cracks running down the trunk indicate structural failure in progress.
Pay particular attention to co-dominant stems, two main leaders of roughly equal size meeting at a tight V-crotch. When bark is embedded in that crotch (called included bark), the two stems are not joined by sound wood. They are held together by tension, and that tension has limits under wind or ice load. Bradford pears, silver maples, and large oaks commonly fail at this point.
Sign 3: Heaving or Lifting at the Root Plate
The root plate is the zone of soil directly around the base of the tree. If the ground there is cracking, rising, or if the base of the tree is visibly lifting on one side, root anchorage is failing.
This is one of the most serious signs on this list. Georgia’s clay soils lose grip fast when saturated. A tree showing root plate movement after heavy rain may be hours from failure.
Sign 4: Fungal Conks or Mushrooms at the Base
Shelf fungi growing on the trunk signal active wood decay inside the tree. Mushrooms at the base signal root rot below ground.
Neither is cosmetic. By the time fruiting bodies appear on the outside of a trunk, the decay has been progressing internally for months or years. The visible fungus is a fraction of what is happening inside the wood.
Sign 5: Large Dead Branches Over High-Traffic Areas
Dead branches in the crown that hang over a roof, driveway, play area, or walkway can fall independently of the tree’s overall condition. They are sometimes called widow makers because they fall without warning.
A dead limb is not held by living wood. It does not require a storm to come down. Schedule tree trimming to remove any large dead branches hanging over areas where people are regularly present.
Sign 6: Visible Root Damage
Construction equipment, trenching, or vehicles driven repeatedly over the root zone can sever or compress roots without leaving visible damage above ground. Roots cut within roughly one foot per inch of trunk diameter weaken structural anchorage.
If a tree near recent construction has started showing unexpected crown dieback or a new lean, root damage is a likely cause.
Sign 7: The Tree Was Recently Struck by Lightning
Lightning can travel down a tree’s interior, destroying vascular tissue and structural wood while leaving the bark largely intact. A tree that looks fine after a lightning strike may have significant internal damage that will not show up for weeks.
Any tree struck by lightning should be evaluated by a professional before the next wind event.
Sign 8: The Tree Is Leaning Toward a Structure or Power Lines
Direction of lean matters as much as degree.
A tree leaning away from all structures at a modest angle can often be monitored. A tree leaning 15 degrees or more toward your house, driveway, or a power line warrants an assessment now, not at the end of the season.
For a tree in active contact with an energized power line, call Georgia Power at 888-660-5890. For a tree adjacent to lines that has not yet made contact, call us for an assessment before contact occurs.
Which Signs Require the Fastest Response?
Warning Sign | Urgency | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
Sudden or unexplained lean | Immediate | Call same day |
Root plate heaving or lifting | Immediate | Call same day |
Main trunk cracks or splits | High | Call within 48 hours |
Fungal conks on trunk | High | Call within 48 hours |
Lean toward house or power lines | High | Call within 48 hours |
Lightning strike | High | Call before next wind event |
Large dead branches over traffic areas | Moderate | Schedule within a week |
Root damage from nearby construction | Moderate | Schedule an assessment |
If you’re seeing more than one of these signs on the same tree, do not wait. The combination of a new lean, trunk decay, and root damage is not a monitor-for-another-season situation.
To see the broader picture of when a tree should come down, read the guide to 7 signs it’s time to remove a tree. If you’ve already had a tree fail and need to know what to do next, see what to do when a tree falls on your house.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if a tree is going to fall?
No one can predict the exact moment a tree will fail. But certain signs indicate structural failure is in progress or approaching: a sudden new lean, root plate heaving, major trunk cracks, fungal conks on the main trunk, or significant root damage. Any one of these warrants a professional assessment rather than continued monitoring.
What are the warning signs a tree is about to fall?
The eight most reliable signs: a sudden or unexplained lean, cracks or splits in the main trunk, heaving or lifting soil at the base, fungal conks on the trunk or mushrooms at the base, large dead branches hanging over occupied areas, visible root damage, a recent lightning strike, and a lean directed toward a structure or power line. A tree showing multiple signs at once is at substantially higher risk.
Is a leaning tree dangerous?
It depends on the type of lean. A tree that grew at a gradual angle over many years may be structurally sound. A tree that developed a new lean recently, or one that leans toward a house, driveway, or power line, is a different situation. An on-site assessment is the only way to tell the difference between a stable lean and a developing root failure.
Can a leaning tree be straightened?
In limited cases, a young tree with root ball displacement can be re-staked and corrected. A mature tree that has developed a structural lean cannot be straightened. The options are tree cabling and bracing to reduce failure risk or removal. An in-person assessment will tell you which applies to your situation.
If You See These Signs, Call Now
A tree with root plate movement, major trunk cracks, or an unexplained new lean toward your house is not something to revisit next month.
Call 470-994-5343. Rudy Perez founded Tree Service Smyrna in 2020, building on years of family experience in the trade. We assess and remove hazardous trees throughout Smyrna, Marietta, Vinings, Mableton, and Austell. We carry general liability and workers’ comp insurance, and we respond 24 hours a day for emergencies.
No pressure to remove. If the tree is stable, we will tell you that.
Get a Free Tree Assessment | Call 470-994-5343
Sources
- USDA Forest Service, Urban Tree Risk Assessment Resources — fs.usda.gov/managing-land/urban-forests (FLAG: verify this exact path resolves to a relevant tree risk page before publishing)
- Georgia Forestry Commission, Tree Health and Care — gatrees.org (FLAG: verify URL and find the most specific relevant page before publishing)
- University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Tree Care Resources — extension.uga.edu (FLAG: verify URL and locate the most specific tree hazard or care page before linking)
