Trees add beauty, shade, and value to your property. But when a tree becomes unhealthy, damaged, or structurally compromised, it can pose serious risks to your home, vehicles, and family. Recognizing the warning signs early can save you thousands in emergency repairs and prevent dangerous situations.
Here are seven signs that it is time to call a professional tree service.
1. Dead or Hanging Branches
Dead branches are one of the most visible and dangerous warning signs. They can fall without warning during storms, high winds, or even on calm days as the wood deteriorates. Look for branches with no leaves during the growing season, brittle and dry wood, or limbs hanging at odd angles. Dead branches near your roof, driveway, or walkways should be removed immediately by a professional to prevent injury or property damage.
2. Leaning Trunk
While some trees naturally grow at a slight angle, a sudden or worsening lean is a serious concern. A newly leaning tree often signals root failure, soil erosion, or structural damage from storms. If the lean is greater than 15 degrees from vertical, or you notice exposed roots and cracked soil on one side, the tree may be at risk of falling. This is especially dangerous in Lawton during spring storm season when saturated soil and high winds combine to topple weakened trees.
3. Fungal Growth at the Base
Mushrooms, shelf fungi, or mold growing at the base of a tree or along the trunk indicate internal decay. Fungi feed on dead and rotting wood, which means the tree is breaking down from the inside. A tree with significant internal decay can appear healthy on the outside while being structurally hollow. These trees are at high risk of failure during wind events and should be assessed by a certified arborist as soon as fungal growth is noticed.
4. Root Damage
The root system is the foundation of every tree. Damage to roots from construction, excavation, soil compaction, or erosion can destabilize the entire tree. Warning signs include exposed roots above the soil surface, cracked or heaving ground around the base, and sudden wilting or discolored leaves despite adequate watering. In Lawton, root damage frequently occurs after heavy rains erode soil around mature trees or when nearby construction disturbs root zones.
5. Storm Damage
Oklahoma's severe weather brings thunderstorms, tornadoes, ice storms, and straight-line winds that can inflict major damage on trees. After any significant weather event, inspect your trees for split or cracked trunks, large broken branches, stripped bark, and any new leaning. Even damage that looks minor can compromise the tree's structural integrity, making it vulnerable to failure during the next storm. A professional assessment after storm damage can identify hidden risks that are not visible from the ground.
6. Overgrown Canopy
Trees with dense, overgrown canopies may look healthy, but they can create problems. Heavy canopies act like sails during high winds, putting extreme stress on the trunk and root system. Overgrown branches can also grow into power lines, rub against your roof, block sunlight from your lawn, and trap moisture that promotes disease. Regular professional trimming keeps canopies balanced and reduces wind resistance, making trees safer and healthier through Oklahoma's storm season.
7. Bark Abnormalities
Healthy bark protects a tree the way skin protects your body. When bark starts peeling, cracking, splitting, or falling off in large sections, it often indicates disease, pest infestation, or environmental stress. Deep vertical cracks, cankers (sunken or swollen areas), and patches of missing bark that expose bare wood are all signs that the tree needs professional evaluation. Bark beetles, borers, and other pests that attack trees in the Lawton area often leave visible entry holes and sawdust-like frass at the base of the trunk.
Do Not Wait Until It Is Too Late
Ignoring these warning signs can lead to expensive property damage, personal injury, or worse. A tree that could have been treated or safely removed for a few hundred dollars can cause thousands in damage if it falls on your home, car, or fence.
At Comanche Tree Experts, our experienced crew provides thorough tree assessments, safe removal, expert trimming, and emergency storm response. We have been serving Lawton and Comanche County for over 8 years, and we are fully licensed and insured.
Call us today at (580) 781-1781 for a free tree health assessment.