Every year there are multiple news stories about trees being uprooted or branches falling in high winds, resulting in road closures and property damage. While these aren’t always preventable, trees with structural weaknesses, disease, or damage are more likely to sustain wind damage. 

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A visual inspection can help to identify these issues, so you can deal with any potentially dangerous trees before high winds hit. 

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Checking for infection and disease

Disease and infections can weaken trees, making it more likely that they’ll break or fall in high winds. Here are some signs to watch out for:

• Leaf discolouration (yellowing leaves, coloured spots on leaves, or leaves that are the wrong colour for the season).
• Leaf damage (holes in leaves, an unusual amount of leaves coming off the tree).
• Bark damage (spongy bark, areas of peeling or cracking, bark coming off the tree).
• Fungus growing on the trunk or branches of the tree, or mushrooms growing around the roots - this often indicates internal decay and should be taken seriously.

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Checking the tree structure

Here are some common signs that your tree’s internal structure is compromised and should be reviewed by an arborist:

• Dead branches - these should be removed as they pose a significant risk in high winds.
• Splits, cracks, or large holes - these can indicate internal decay or structural damage.
• Lifting, ‘heaving’ or cracked soil around the roots. 
• Significant leaning - trees on a lean are more susceptible to being uprooted during high winds. Look out for trees leaning more than usual, leaning on a new angle, or leaning in a dangerous direction (like over a house or driveway).

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When to get expert advice

The signs of tree disease and structural weakness can be hard to spot. If you’re at all unsure about the safety of a tree, contact our team to book a tree assessment from one of our qualified arborists.

If you think you have a potentially dangerous tree on your property, give our team a call. We can recommend steps to take to make your tree safer or, if needed, remove the tree before it causes damage.

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What to do in an emergency

If a tree or branch is threatening people or property, or a fallen branch or tree is blocking a road or driveway, call our 24/7 emergency contact number: 027 452 6825.