6 Signs Your Tree Could Come Down in the Next Storm

A Trunk That's Leaning More Than It Used to

A small lean isn't automatically a problem. Some trees grow that way naturally. But if a tree has started leaning recently, or the lean has become more noticeable over the past year, it's often a sign the root system is losing its grip on the soil. This is especially worth checking after heavy rain, when saturated ground gives roots far less to hold onto.

Dead or Hanging Limbs

Fungal Growth Near the Base

Mushrooms, brackets, or other fungal growth at the base of a trunk or around the root zone usually point to internal decay. A tree can look perfectly healthy from the outside while the wood inside is soft, hollow, or rotting. This kind of damage is very hard to judge accurately without a trained eye, which is where a proper tree arborist Sutherland Shire assessment earns its keep. An arborist can check root health, internal decay, and structural integrity before a storm puts it to the test.

Cracks or Splits in the Trunk or Major Limbs

Vertical cracks in the trunk, or splits where large branches meet the main stem, are structural red flags. These weak points are exactly where a tree is most likely to fail under wind load, and they tend to get worse with each storm rather than heal on their own.

Soil Lifting or Cracking Near the Roots

Recent Storm Damage That Hasn't Been Addressed

A tree that lost large limbs in a previous storm, or copped damage to its canopy, is often left weaker and less balanced than before. Should you leave it unaddressed, that damage tends to compound over successive storms rather than settle down.

What to Do If You Spot Any of These Signs

None of these signs mean a tree has to come down immediately. In plenty of cases, a healthy tree just needs its weight and wind resistance reduced through selective tree trimming, removing the specific branches that pose a risk while keeping the tree itself intact.

For trees that are genuinely unstable, decayed at the core, or too close to a house to risk it, tree removal services is the safer long-term option. Either way, getting it assessed before storm season arrives is far less stressful (and usually far less costly) than dealing with the aftermath of a tree that's already come down.

If your trees are showing any of these signs, don't wait for the next storm to tell you something's wrong. Book a free assessment with Bob & Ben The Tree Men and catch problems before they become something more difficult and expensive to fix.