Dangerous trees pose a danger to many people, but they’re often hard to spot before it’s too late. People can get injured or even killed when struck by falling branches, tall trees, and more.
That’s why it’s so important to be observant in your yard, near parks, and in any other place where dangerous trees are likely to grow nearby. Pay attention to these 10 ways to observe dangerous trees, and you’ll be able to keep your home and loved ones safe from harm.
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1) Choose your location
Before heading out into a public park, it’s a good idea to observe trees that could present danger. Local news sites and chat boards are often littered with stories of people who have sustained injuries from falling trees.
Before you go for a hike or bring your dog for a walk, check local news reports or tree service review sites like Yelp; these websites often have information about recently dangerous trees in parks.
Knowing which trees are dangerous before you head into nature can save you from costly medical bills—and even worse, serious injury or death. If you live in an area that’s prone to storms, make sure you pay attention to reported fallen tree locations as well; if necessary, avoid these areas until they’ve been cleared by local officials.
2) Use all available resources
Many people go out of their way to observe dangerous trees, but there are plenty of tools available for anyone interested in staying safe. A visit to your local library will give you a wealth of information on how to stay safe around these dangers – and plenty of ways that life has changed since these books were published.
If you’re really interested in learning more about dangerous trees, you might want to consider joining an arborist organization; they know all about these dangers! Just remember: observation is important – but it’s just as important not to get hurt. If a tree looks like it could topple at any moment, don’t be tempted by its beauty – stay away!
3) Wear the right gear
There are a few things you'll need in order to properly observe dangerous trees. For one, you'll want gear that will help keep you safe while climbing up and around trees. Wear sturdy shoes, gloves, and appropriate clothing.
If there's any chance of rain or snow where you're headed, make sure your gear is waterproof or that it provides adequate protection from precipitation. Remember: A good pair of boots is an investment!
4) Visual Tree Inspection Techniques
What you see may not be what you get. It can be difficult to notice all of a tree’s danger spots, so property owners should periodically inspect trees for decay, weak spots, and other signs of damage. This involves checking each part of a tree by sight and touch.
5) Document everything with photos, notes, and GPS
If you want to preserve a tree's natural beauty, consider photographing it while you're at work. Then, add notes about your surroundings and geotag your images so you can more easily find them later.
Keeping meticulous records helps researchers create more accurate models of future conditions for any given area. While it's important not to disturb or harm trees, there are a few ways that researchers observe their growth and location—even when taking photos might be tricky.
6) If something doesn’t look right, it isn’t!
Some people tend to look past problems. After all, when you focus on negatives, it can be difficult—if not impossible—to find positives. However, ignoring problems could lead to major issues down the road. Your best bet is always going to be addressing a problem head-on and right away.
If something doesn’t look right or if you have some concern about a tree in your yard, talk with a tree expert who can examine and diagnose potential issues so they can be fixed in time.
It’s important that potential issues don’t go untreated; otherwise, bigger problems may develop later on that are much more difficult—and expensive—to fix.
7) Beware of hidden dangers in trees
As you’re out in nature on a hike or simply enjoying some downtime outside, it’s important to keep in mind that trees can be extremely dangerous.
Wind and weather conditions can cause them to topple over with little notice. This is especially true for trees that grow near bodies of water, as moisture from standing water can make a tree’s roots vulnerable.
Many homeowners face problems with weakened or damaged trees after flooding.
8) Cut your inspection short if you are feeling uncomfortable
Most inspections can be done on your own. But if you find yourself uncomfortable, think twice before continuing on. There is no sense in putting yourself in harm’s way; rather consult a professional for help.
Oftentimes, if you feel uneasy about going into an area that seems unsafe, there could be dangerous animals or human activity going on nearby. The last thing you want is to leave something like that unattended, so it’s best to take precautions when possible and follow up with a professional inspection service later.
9) Know when to stop climbing in a tree before it falls down.
As with any hobby, getting outside can be dangerous. While there is a level of risk in climbing trees, if you follow some simple steps, you can greatly reduce your chances of an accident.
In fact, according to statistics from the National Climbing Institute, 96% of tree-climbing accidents are preventable. Here’s how: Before starting any climb or rope maneuver in a tree, secure both ends of a rope and attach it to at least one foot with a locking carabiner.
This way, if something goes wrong while you’re up in a tree—the branches give out or you slip and fall—you have some sort of protection against being hurt on impact.
10) Seek more training before attempting more dangerous inspections.
Most tree-care experts recommend that novice arborists get more training and experience before inspecting higher-risk trees. While becoming a certified arborist can take several years, other options exist, such as taking community-based classes or getting temporary certification through some professional associations.
Talk with your employer to see if they can connect you with local arborists who specialize in riskier tree inspections—many will be happy to give advice and even share their observations while they're at it.
Even if they can't offer specific advice, someone who's specialized in dangerous trees will likely be able to tell you where you should focus your learning efforts.
