I Am Worried a Tree Might Fall on My House — What Should I Do?

This is one of the most common concerns we hear, particularly from older homeowners who have lived in their property for many years and have watched a tree grow gradually closer to the house. Sometimes the concern has been building for a long time. Sometimes it is triggered by a stormy night or a news story about a tree falling somewhere nearby. Whatever brought you to this question, the concern is entirely understandable and it is worth taking seriously.

The good news is that most trees near houses are not about to fall on them. But the way to know that with confidence is to have the tree properly assessed, not to guess, and not to worry in silence.

What Actually Makes a Tree Likely to Fall?

Trees do not fall randomly. In the vast majority of cases, a tree that fails either in a storm or without obvious cause has a pre-existing structural problem that made it vulnerable. Understanding what those problems look like helps you identify whether your concern about a specific tree is well-founded.

The things we look for when assessing whether a tree poses a risk to a property include:

Fungal fruiting bodies at the base of the tree or on the roots. Bracket fungi, mushrooms or toadstools growing from the base of the trunk or from the roots are one of the most significant warning signs that internal decay is present. If you can see fungal growth at ground level on a tree near your house, please call us. This is worth having looked at.

Cracks or splits in the main trunk or in the major junctions where large branches meet the trunk. Some bark features look like cracks but are not structural concerns. Others are genuinely significant. If you can see a visible crack or split in the main stem of a large tree near your house, it is worth having it assessed.

Leaning that has developed or changed. Most trees lean to some degree, often toward the light, and this is normal. A tree that has always leaned the same way is usually not a concern. A tree whose lean has visibly increased, or where you can see the ground lifting or cracking on the opposite side from the lean, suggesting root plate movement, is a more serious situation.

Dead or dying crown. A tree where all or most of the branches in the upper crown appear dead is either dead itself or in severe decline. Dead trees near houses need to be assessed promptly, particularly if the species is ash, which deteriorates structurally faster than most other species.

Roots that have been damaged by recent building work, hard landscaping or drainage works near the tree. Root damage can take several years to show in the crown but can significantly reduce the structural stability of the tree over time.

What if I Cannot See Any of These Things?

If a tree near your house looks broadly healthy, has a full crown in summer, no visible cracks or fungal growth, and has not developed an increasing lean, the probability that it will fall on your house in the near future is low. That is genuinely reassuring information and it is honest.

However, not all structural problems in trees are visible from the outside. Internal decay, in particular, is not always apparent until a tree is actually cut open. This is why a professional assessment by a qualified arborist, who knows what to look for and how to interpret what they find, gives you a more reliable answer than looking at the tree yourself from the garden.

What Does a Professional Assessment Involve?

When we visit to assess a tree near a building, we look at several things. We examine the base of the tree and the root zone for signs of decay or instability. We look at the trunk and the main branch unions for cracks, cavities and fungal growth. We assess the crown for dead wood, dieback and structural concerns. We consider the species, its natural form and behaviour, and the specific conditions at your site including soil conditions, exposure and the proximity of the building to the likely fall zone.

We then give you a clear, honest view of what we have found, what the risk level appears to be, and what if anything needs doing. If we think the tree is fine and you have nothing to worry about, we will tell you that. If we think the tree needs work, we will explain exactly what and why and give you a written quote.

There is no charge for this initial assessment visit.

We Understand That This Can Feel Daunting

We work regularly with older homeowners in Grange-over-Sands and across South Lakeland who have lived with a large tree for many years and have perhaps not had it looked at professionally before. Getting someone in to assess it is a very sensible thing to do and nothing to be anxious about. We will explain everything we find in plain language, without jargon, and take as much time as you need to answer any questions.

We also understand that having tree surgery carried out can feel like a significant undertaking. We work at a pace that suits our clients and always explain what we are doing and why before we start any work.

Phone/WhatsApp: 07376804724
Email: enquiries@maxreynoldstreeservices.com

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