5 Warning Signs Your Tree is at Risk of Falling During a Melbourne Storm

Storms can occur with little notice and can have high winds that can damage or topple a tree. Additional dangers are from lightning strikes on trees and soil saturated by heavy rain that can loosen the roots. It pays to be prepared for storms by ensuring your trees are in the best possible shape. Although this will not entirely prevent damage, it will significantly reduce the danger that can be presented by a tree during a storm.

The Danger Signs to Look for

If a storm is forecast or, better still, before the storm season starts, look for the following warning signs:

1. Visible Damage to the Tree

A tree that is already damaged will be more likely to suffer further damage during a storm. The existing damage may have been caused by a previous storm, may be due to disease or decay, or may simply be because the tree is old.

Look for long vertical splits in the trunk, bark that is peeling away or cavities that reveal the internal wood. Some branches may be broken and hanging down and are likely to fall in high winds. These are particularly dangerous if they overhang buildings or places where people walk.

2. Unhealthy or Unbalanced Canopy

If the tree suddenly loses leaves during the growing season, this can be a sign of disease, infections or root damage. The tree will be suffering from stress, and the condition can be terminal unless you take prompt action to remedy the situation.

Ideally, a tree should have a balanced appearance with an even spread of branches. If branches grow unevenly in one particular direction, the tree will become unbalanced, and the uneven load can cause splitting and even uprooting in a storm so a proper balance needs to be restored.

3. Excessive Lean

Trees do not always grow straight upwards but sometimes, due to weather and ground conditions, can have a slight lean. If a tree suddenly starts to lean more than normal and this becomes excessive, it is a danger sign.

Leaning can be due to root failure, ground movement or waterlogged soil and means the tree is no longer firmly anchored. Action needs to be taken before the tree falls and may require the removal of the tree.

4. Exposed Roots

If a tree is rocked by high winds, roots may be lifted from the soil and exposed. Root disturbance may also be indicated by soil bulging at one side of the trunk and a gap at the other side, which may suggest the tree is no longer stable.

5. Fungal Growth

Certain fungi feed on the inner structure of a tree and so an appearance of these at the base can indicate internal decay. This may mean the tree is no longer safe.

Preparing for Storm Conditions

Being aware of the danger signs means you can take action to make a tree safe before a storm causes further damage. Removing dead and broken branches, trimming the crown and ensuring the tree is well balanced will all help while removing a dying or unstable tree may be necessary as a last resort.

Get in touch to ensure all your trees are safe and secure. At A.P Tree Management, we can assess their condition and take any corrective action so that, when the next storm hits, you will have less to worry about.