Walk your trees for warning signs
Walk your San Diego trees from the ground. Look at the canopy, the trunk, and the soil. Photograph what you see. One thin crown or one hole does not prove the tree will fail. If the lean has changed, or a limb looks unstable, keep people away. Then connect with a licensed independent tree crew.
What you'll learn
- How to scan canopy, trunk, and soil from the ground without climbing
- Why a single thin crown, stain, hole, or lean does not prove the tree will fail
- How D-shaped holes on oak differ from nonspecific thinning or bark stain
- When a changed lean, soil heave, or unstable limb means stop and get a licensed crew
Step by step
- Start at the trunk from a safe distance. Note cracks, cavities, and any mushroom-like conks. Photograph them. Do not probe or climb.
- Step back and look at the canopy. Thinning, dead tips, or off-season drop are clues, not a verdict.
- Check the soil at the root flare for new mounding or cracks. That can mean the root plate is moving. Keep people out from under the tree if you see it.
- On oaks, D-shaped exit holes are a goldspotted oak borer clue to take to a diagnostician. Crown thinning or bark stain alone is not a diagnosis.
- Keep a dated photo log. If a lean has changed, soil has heaved, or a limb looks unstable, keep people away. Then connect with a licensed independent tree crew.
Safety note
A long-standing lean can be stable. Fresh soil heave or a sudden angle change is different. Keep people out from under that tree. Call 911 if anyone is in danger now. For a professional look, we connect you with licensed independent tree crews.
Further reading
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