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Why Trees Fail

A one-page homeowner explainer: healthy trees rarely fall without warning. Here are the few causes behind most failures and the signs you can learn to spot.

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Why Trees Fail

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Root problems, weak unions, decay and cavities, cracks and deadwood, lean and soil heave, and storm load — almost every failure traces to one of these, and most leave clues. The sheet pairs each cause with what it looks like in the yard.

A 'call a pro if you see' list flags the urgent ones (a new lean, heaving soil, mushrooms at the base, a deep split where two stems meet), and a top-to-bottom guide walks the canopy, trunk and roots. Pros: a credible leave-behind that earns the inspection call.

What's inside

  • The six common failure causes, each with its warning signs
  • A 'call a pro if you see' urgent-signs list
  • A top-to-bottom inspection walkthrough (canopy → trunk → roots)
  • Plain-English explanations, no jargon
  • Room for your company name and phone (for pros)
For homeowners (and pros to hand out) — and it's free to use on real jobs.

Questions

Can I tell if my tree is dangerous myself?
You can learn to spot the common warning signs — a new lean, cracks, fungal conks, deadwood over a target. But the rating call belongs to a certified arborist; this guide helps you know when to make that call.
Is a leaning tree always going to fall?
Not necessarily — many trees lean for years. The concern is a new or worsening lean, especially with cracked or heaving soil at the base, which can mean the roots are letting go. That's a call-a-pro sign.

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