How Can You Identify Tree Fall Hazards After Summer Storms?

Posted on June 2nd, 2026

A tree becomes a fall hazard when severe summer storms compromise its root system or structural integrity.

Heavy winds and saturated soil often loosen the ground around the base, making even healthy-looking specimens unstable.

Identifying these risks early prevents property damage and ensures your landscape remains a safe place for your family.

Visible Signs of Root Damage and Soil Shifting

Soil heaving near the base of a trunk indicates that the root plate has moved during high winds. You might notice a mound of dirt lifting on one side or a gap forming between the trunk and the earth on the opposite side. These changes suggest the tree no longer has a secure anchor to support its weight against future gusts.

Exposed roots that appear broken or splintered after a storm require immediate attention. When the primary support roots snap, the tree loses its ability to stay upright under the pressure of its own canopy. We often find that shifting soil hides deeper fractures that only become apparent when the ground dries and settles into new, uneven positions.

Leaning trees that were once straight pose the most significant threat to your home or power lines. A sudden change in the angle of the trunk means the root system has failed to hold its position in the wet summer earth. We recommend monitoring any lean that exceeds fifteen degrees, as these trees rarely stabilize without professional intervention or removal.

Cracks and Cavities That Signal Structural Weakness

Deep vertical cracks in the trunk often develop when summer lightning strikes or extreme wind torsion twists the wood fibers. These fissures penetrate through the bark into the inner sapwood, creating a point of failure where the tree could split. You should inspect the main stem for any new openings that allow you to see into the hollow center of the wood.

Cavities and large holes where branches once attached serve as breeding grounds for decay and wood-rotting fungi. While a small hole seems harmless, it often masks a larger area of internal rot that hollows out the structural core. Storms accelerate this process by forcing water into these openings, which softens the wood and invites pests that further weaken the frame.

Internal decay often goes unnoticed until a storm provides the final force needed to topple a compromised tree.

Co-dominant stems, where two large trunks grow from the same point in a V-shape, frequently split during summer squalls. The bark trapped between these stems prevents them from fusing together, creating a natural weak spot. If you see daylight through the union or notice sap oozing from the junction, the tree is actively failing and could drop half its mass without warning.

Four Warning Signs in the Canopy and Branch Structure

The upper portion of the tree provides the most visible clues about its overall health and stability. High winds often leave behind structural issues that aren't immediately obvious from the ground. Regular tree pruning helps remove these risks before they fall, but you must know what to look for after a storm passes.

1. Hangers or large broken branches caught in the upper canopy.
2. Deadwood or brittle limbs that lost their foliage suddenly.
3. Cracked bark at the attachment points of heavy lateral limbs.
4. A lopsided canopy where one side lost significant leaf density.

Large limbs that have detached but remain snagged in the branches above are nicknamed "widowmakers" for a reason. These heavy pieces of wood can fall at any moment, even on a calm day with no wind. Removing these hazards requires specialized equipment to confirm the branch doesn't swing into your roof or windows during the extraction process.

Strategic tree pruning reduces the wind resistance of the canopy, which helps the tree survive future storms. When a canopy is too dense, it acts like a sail, catching the wind and putting immense pressure on the trunk. Thinning out the interior branches allows air to flow through the tree, significantly lowering the risk of a total structural collapse during the next summer heatwave.

Visit Acer Tree Service for Professional Hazard Removal

Protect your property from the hidden dangers left behind by severe summer weather.

Our team identifies structural flaws and root instability that put your home at risk.

Contact Acer Tree Service for safe and professional tree and stump removal to protect your home from falling hazards.

Get a clear assessment of your trees to confirm your landscape remains beautiful and secure all year long.