Warning Signs a Tree May Need Professional Attention

The red flags that separate a healthy tree from a real risk.

A new or increasing lean

A tree that has always leaned slightly may be stable, but a lean that's new or visibly increasing is one of the strongest signs of root failure or structural instability.

Large dead branches, especially high up

Dead limbs (sometimes called 'widow makers') can fall without warning and are a serious risk, particularly over walkways, driveways, or the house itself.

Hollow or decaying trunk sections

A hollow sound when tapped, visible fungal growth, or soft/crumbling bark can indicate internal decay that compromises structural strength even if the tree looks fine from a distance.

Mushrooms or fungal growth at the base

This is often a sign of root or trunk decay happening below the surface, even when the canopy still looks healthy.

Recent construction or grade changes nearby

Digging or grade changes near a tree's root zone can damage roots and destabilize a tree that was previously perfectly healthy — worth extra caution after any nearby construction.