Most of the trees we pull off houses didn’t fail in the biggest storm of the year — they failed in an ordinary one, because a weakness was already there. Fall is the time to find those weaknesses.
Start with weight and wind sail. A heavy, dense canopy catches wind like a sail. Thoughtful crown thinning lets wind pass through and reduces the leverage on the trunk and roots — without topping.
Then deadwood and defects. Dead limbs are the first to come down, and a hung-up “widow-maker” is dangerous for months. Cracks at branch unions, especially co-dominant V-forks, are worth assessing; many can be cabled rather than removed.
Finally, look down. Mushrooms at the base, a new lean, or heaved soil are root-zone warnings that matter most when the ground is saturated and the wind is up. If you see any of those before a big blow, call us — and keep our 24/7 storm line handy for when one actually hits.