7 Signs a Tree is Dangerous and Needs Urgent Attention
Trees fail. Even apparently healthy trees can come down without warning — but in most cases, there are warning signs that a tree is at risk. Knowing what to look for could prevent a fallen tree from damaging your property, injuring your family, or landing you with significant legal liability. This guide covers the seven key signs that a tree needs professional attention urgently.
If you believe a tree poses an immediate risk to life or property, keep people away and call Clearcut Tree Surgery's emergency line on 01202 022560. We operate a 24-hour emergency response across Bournemouth, Poole, Dorset and Hampshire, 365 days a year.
The 7 Warning Signs
Visible Root Plate Movement or Lifting
If the ground around the base of the tree has lifted, cracked or mounded on one side, the tree's root plate may have begun to fail. This is one of the most serious signs of imminent whole-tree failure. The tree can topple with little additional warning — especially in wet ground conditions where roots lose purchase. Do not approach the tree and call an arborist immediately.
Cracks or Splits in the Trunk
Vertical cracks or splits running along the trunk — particularly if they run through the wood rather than just the bark — indicate serious structural weakness. Cracks at major branch unions (where two large limbs meet the trunk) are particularly concerning, as this is a common point of failure. A tree with significant trunk cracks needs professional assessment before the next period of high winds.
Bracket Fungi Growing from the Trunk
Shelf or bracket fungi growing directly from the trunk or major branches are a serious warning sign of internal decay. Unlike mushrooms at the base (which indicate root and butt rot), trunk brackets indicate decay within the main structural wood of the tree. The visible fungal growth is the fruiting body — the actual decay can be extensive by the time it appears on the surface. This requires urgent professional assessment.
Dead or Dying Sections of Canopy
Areas of the canopy that fail to produce leaves when other parts of the tree are in full growth — particularly if this pattern is progressive and worsening year on year — indicate serious underlying problems. This can be caused by root damage, vascular disease, root rot or structural failure restricting water movement. Dead branches (brittle, no bark, no buds) will eventually fall — and large dead branches in the upper canopy can cause serious damage or injury when they do.
Hung-Up or Broken Branches in the Crown
"Widow makers" — branches that have broken or partially broken but are still caught in the canopy — are a well-known hazard in arboriculture. They can appear stable for months but can drop without warning, particularly in wind or when another branch disturbs them. Examine the canopy from below and look for branches that appear to be resting on others rather than growing from them. These need professional removal as soon as possible.
Significant Lean That Has Changed Recently
Many trees have a natural, established lean — this is not necessarily a concern if it has been stable for many years. What to watch for is a lean that has developed recently or has visibly worsened. A tree that has begun leaning toward a structure after a storm, or where the lean is combined with root plate disturbance, needs immediate assessment. Compare photographs taken over time if you're uncertain.
Excessive Epicormic Growth (Stress Response)
Epicormic growth is the mass of small shoots that burst directly from the trunk or major branches of a tree that is under severe stress. It is the tree's emergency response to significant canopy loss or internal damage — effectively trying to compensate for lost photosynthesis capacity. While some epicormic growth is normal after pruning, a sudden explosion of it on a tree that hasn't been recently pruned indicates something is seriously wrong internally.
Your Duty of Care as a Tree Owner
As the owner of land on which trees stand, you have a legal duty of care to ensure those trees do not pose an unreasonable risk to people or property. This applies whether your tree falls on a neighbour's property, a public road, or even a passing car.
In practical terms, this means you should:
- Regularly inspect your trees for the warning signs above
- Act on any warning signs by commissioning a professional assessment
- Keep records of any tree inspections and the advice given
- Not ignore a tree that has been identified as hazardous — inaction can constitute negligence
If a tree on your property falls and causes damage or injury, and it can be shown that warning signs were present and ignored, you may face significant civil liability. Having trees professionally assessed — and the advice documented — protects you legally as well as physically.
What to Do If You Identify a Potentially Dangerous Tree
The appropriate response depends on how serious the risk appears:
- Immediate danger (cracks, lifting roots, hung-up branches threatening structures or people): Call 01202 022560 immediately. Our 24-hour emergency service covers all of Dorset and Hampshire.
- Concerning but not immediately dangerous: Book a professional tree assessment. Clearcut will inspect the tree, advise on the risk level and the appropriate works, and provide a written report you can keep on file.
- Unsure: Call us. We're happy to advise on whether a tree needs an urgent visit or whether it can be scheduled as a routine assessment.
