Mature trees make the area look beautiful, offer shade, and also create an aura of age in the area. As the matured trees get older, they become prone to developing internal decay due to the pressure from the environment or even decay of the wood over time. It is quite easy for a person to see a very mature oak or maple tree that is green and healthy-looking outside, yet inside it is not that sturdy at all.
It is important to identify such issues early so that you can assist the tree before the situation worsens. You may have to prune heavy branches or improve the soil at the roots. A certified arborist assessment can help. An expert will look at the wood, the roots, and the whole tree to make sure it’s safe. This gives you the help needed to keep the tree and your property safe.
1. Deep Vertical Trunk Cracks and Included Bark
Cracks that go deep into the main stem of an older tree are some of the clearest warning signs that the tree might fail soon. While cracks on the outer bark can be a normal part of the tree’s growth, deep straight splits—especially those that cut through both sides of the trunk—show the tree is under a lot of stress and may not be safe.
Another common weak spot is included bark, which you can see when there are two main trunks of about the same size (also called codominant stems). As both of these stems get bigger, the bark gets squeezed in the V-shaped spot where they meet, instead of the wood joining together as one. This can push the trunks apart and makes it easy for the tree to split open when there is lots of ice or wind.
2. Soil Heaving and Fungal Growth Near the Root Plate
A tree is stable because of its roots. Over 80 percent of the tree’s major roots are found in the first two feet of soil. Should anything go wrong beneath the soil, then the entire tree could become dislodged instantly.
Watch out for these main warning signs in the root zone:
- Soil Heaving: When you see new cracks or raised dirt on the side that does not match a tree’s lean, it means the main roots are breaking and coming out of the ground.
- It indicates that the tree is decaying internally if a cluster of mushrooms or brackets appears near the root flare or below the lower part of the trunk. The fungi decompose the lignin and cellulose responsible for the hardness of the wood.
3. Uncharacteristic Leaning and Asymmetrical Canopy Weight
Most trees lean a little to reach the sunlight. But if you see a sudden or worse lean, this can be a big problem. A change in how the tree stands often means that the roots are weak or there is rot inside at the bottom of the trunk.
Uneven weight in the tree top can put different stress on the whole tree. When you have heavy side branches that go out far from the center without getting thinner, it makes things worse. During strong winds, this can make the tree branches break without warning.
4. Internal Cavities and Bark Cankers
Large cavities found in the tree trunk result from old wounds, injuries, or storms. Not all hollow trees have to die. The ratio of solid wood remaining to the total width of the trunk determines whether the tree is able to bear its top.
Key to Diagnosis: The general principle followed in arboriculture is that whenever the thin solid wood layer surrounding a cavity in a tree makes up less than 30% of the trunk diameter, then the tree faces an increased chance of collapse.
A canker is a dead area visible on stems or branches resulting from fungal or bacterial infection. They weaken the wood. In addition, the bark near them becomes thin, cracked, and easily peels off.
Evaluating Risk to Keep Your Landscape Safe
Although you may be able to begin by taking a careful look at your trees, if you wish to be certain that your large trees are indeed safe, then you will have to rely on tools such as sonic tests or drilling. If you feel that your large trees are unhealthy or are posing any other problem, then it is wise to contact a certified arborist assessment to do a thorough examination, which will help protect your home, your loved ones, and your trees as well.
