The maple in Tom’s front yard had stood for thirty years—strong, tall, and reliable. Then one Tuesday morning after a routine rainstorm, he walked outside to find it leaning at a 15-degree angle, roots partially lifted, soil cracked around the base.
“I had no idea anything was wrong,” he told us when we arrived for the emergency removal. “It looked fine yesterday.”
But trees rarely fail without warning. The signs were there—he just didn’t know what to look for. A slight lean that had been slowly increasing. Soil that stayed wet longer than it should. Mushrooms growing at the base that seemed harmless.
By the time the obvious symptoms appeared, the tree was already in crisis.
At Wilcox Tree Service, we’ve seen this pattern countless times across Keene and surrounding areas. Homeowners don’t realize their trees have become hazards until failure is imminent—or already happening.
Here are five critical warning signs that your tree has crossed from “safe” to “dangerous”—and what to do when you spot them.
1. The Tree Is Leaning or Tilting
Some trees grow at natural angles—that’s normal. What’s not normal is a tree that suddenly leans or a lean that’s getting worse over time.
What Causes Sudden Leaning?
Root Failure
Damage from construction, erosion, or soil compaction weakens the root system’s ability to anchor the tree. Without stable roots, the entire tree can shift.
Saturated Soil
After heavy rain, soil becomes soft and waterlogged. Trees with shallow or damaged roots lose their grip and begin tilting.
Wind Damage
Strong gusts—especially during storms—can push trees past their structural limits, causing the root ball to shift underground.
Internal Decay
Rot inside the trunk weakens the tree’s ability to support its own weight. As decay progresses, the tree starts leaning under stress it used to handle easily.
What to Look For:
Walk around the base of your tree and check for:
Soil Lifting on One Side
If the ground around the trunk is raised or cracked on one side, the root ball is shifting.
Exposed Roots That Weren’t Visible Before
Roots pulling out of the ground indicate the tree is losing its anchor.
A Lean That’s Getting Worse
Take photos periodically. If the angle increases over weeks or months, the tree is actively failing.
Tilting Toward Structures or High-Traffic Areas
A tree leaning toward your house, driveway, or neighbor’s property is a threat waiting to realize itself.
Why This Is Dangerous:
Trees that have lost root stability can topple without warning. New England’s winter ice storms and summer windstorms add stress that compromised trees can’t handle. Once a tree starts leaning significantly, it’s only a matter of time—and weather—before it comes down.
What to Do:
Contact hazardous tree removal in Keene professionals immediately. A leaning tree requires expert assessment. In some cases, it can be stabilized. In most, removal is the only safe option.
2. Dead or Dying Branches Throughout the Canopy
A few dead branches are normal as trees age. But when you see widespread dieback—branches throughout the canopy losing leaves, bark peeling away, twigs snapping easily—the tree is in serious trouble.
What Dead Branches Tell You:
No Leaves During Growing Season
In spring and summer, healthy trees are full and green. If large sections of your tree remain bare while the rest of the yard is thriving, those branches are dead.
Brittle Twigs That Snap Like Matchsticks
Healthy wood bends. Dead wood breaks cleanly with minimal pressure.
Bark Peeling or Missing
When bark falls away in sheets, it exposes dry, gray wood underneath—a clear sign the branch has died.
Mushrooms or Fungi Growing on Limbs
Fungal growth indicates internal decay. By the time fungi appear, significant damage has already occurred inside the branch.
Why It Happens:
Disease Spreading Through the Tree
Fungal or bacterial infections compromise the tree’s vascular system, cutting off water and nutrients to branches.
Pest Infestations
Borers, beetles, and other insects tunnel through living wood, killing branches from the inside out.
Root Damage
When roots are compromised, the tree can’t supply water and nutrients to the entire canopy. Branches die back as the tree tries to survive.
Environmental Stress
Drought, extreme temperatures, or soil issues can push trees past their tolerance, causing widespread branch death.
The Hidden Danger:
Dead branches don’t wait for storms. They can fall on calm days—especially when trees are stressed or decay has progressed far enough. If branches hang over roofs, driveways, walkways, or play areas, the risk to people and property is constant.
And here’s the critical part: if 25% or more of the canopy shows dieback, the entire tree is likely compromised. At that point, removal is usually safer and more cost-effective than attempting to save what’s left.
What to Do:
Have the tree inspected by professionals. If decay is localized, selective pruning might be enough. If dieback is extensive, removal prevents the tree from becoming a falling hazard.
3. Visible Cracks, Splits, or Cavities in the Trunk
Your tree’s trunk is its structural foundation. Any damage there—cracks, splits, or hollow sections—compromises the entire tree’s stability.
Types of Trunk Damage:
Vertical Cracks
Long cracks running up or down the trunk indicate internal stress. These often form after severe weather or when the tree is strained by uneven weight distribution in the canopy.
Vertical cracks suggest the tree is under constant tension—and that tension will eventually cause failure.
Horizontal Splits
These are even more dangerous. Horizontal cracks mean the trunk is starting to break apart from the inside. It’s only a matter of time before sections separate completely.
Cavities or Hollow Sections
Large holes or hollow areas inside the trunk show advanced decay. While trees can survive with some internal damage, once cavities compromise the trunk’s structural integrity, failure becomes inevitable.
Seams or Bark Separation
When bark pulls away from the trunk, leaving visible gaps, it indicates the wood underneath is dying or already dead. This separation weakens the tree’s ability to support its weight.
Why This Matters:
Trunks support everything—the canopy’s weight, the force of wind resistance, the stress of ice accumulation. When the trunk is compromised, the tree can no longer handle loads it once carried easily.
In Keene’s climate, winter brings heavy, wet snow. Ice clings to branches, doubling or tripling their weight. A compromised trunk that seems fine in summer can fail catastrophically under winter’s added stress.
And in residential areas, a falling trunk doesn’t just hit the ground—it hits roofs, vehicles, fences, power lines, and anything else in its path.
What to Do:
Don’t attempt repairs or wait to see if cracks worsen. Professional tree removal services in Keene NH can assess whether the tree can be saved or needs removal before it fails on its own terms.
4. Fungal Growth at the Base or on Roots
When you see mushrooms or shelf-like fungi growing around a tree’s base, on exposed roots, or along the lower trunk, it’s not just cosmetic. It’s a visible sign of internal rot—and by the time fungi appear, decay is already advanced.
What Fungi Indicate:
Mushrooms at the Base
Clusters of mushrooms sprouting near the trunk signal root decay. The fungi are feeding on rotting wood underground.
Shelf Fungi (Conks) on the Trunk
These hard, shelf-like growths attach directly to the bark and indicate internal decay in the trunk itself.
Soft, Spongy Wood
Press on the bark near fungal growth. If it feels soft or gives under pressure, the wood inside is rotting.
Dark Staining Around Root Flares
Discoloration where the trunk meets the ground often accompanies root rot.
Why This Is So Dangerous:
Roots are the tree’s anchor. When they rot, the entire tree loses stability—even if the trunk and canopy look healthy from above.
Fungal decay spreads quickly. What starts as a small infection can consume large sections of the root system or trunk within months, leaving the tree structurally unsound.
And here’s the problem: by the time fungal growth is visible, the internal damage is already extensive. You’re not catching the problem early—you’re seeing evidence of rot that’s been progressing for months or years.
What to Do:
Have a professional inspect the tree immediately. In many cases, advanced root or trunk rot means removal is the only safe option. Waiting increases the risk of sudden failure—and the damage that comes with it.
5. The Tree Is Too Close to Structures or Power Lines
Sometimes the hazard isn’t the tree’s condition—it’s its location. Even healthy trees become dangers when they’re planted or have grown too close to homes, garages, or power lines.
Common Proximity Problems:
Branches Overhanging Roofs
Limbs that extend over rooftops scrape shingles, clog gutters, and drop debris constantly. During storms, those branches can break and puncture roofs—causing leaks, structural damage, and expensive repairs.
Roots Threatening Foundations
Tree roots grow toward moisture. As they expand, they can crack foundations, lift sidewalks, buckle driveways, and infiltrate plumbing lines. Once roots reach your home’s foundation, the damage compounds over time.
Contact with Power Lines
Branches touching or growing near electrical lines create fire risks and power outages. High winds or ice accumulation can cause contact, sparking fires or bringing down lines.
During storms, trees near power lines become exponentially more dangerous—both to your property and to utility infrastructure.
Why Location Becomes a Problem:
Trees don’t stop growing. A sapling planted 15 feet from your house eventually spreads branches and roots far beyond that original footprint.
Keene’s harsh winters make this worse. Ice-laden branches gain tremendous weight—enough to snap limbs that were stable under normal conditions. When those limbs hang over structures, the risk of damage climbs every winter.
And even healthy trees in the wrong location can fail during extreme weather. Strong winds combined with saturated soil create conditions where root balls shift—and trees topple toward whatever is closest.
What to Do:
If branches overhang your roof or touch power lines, contact hazardous tree removal in Keene professionals. Depending on the situation, selective trimming might create safe clearance. But if the tree’s roots threaten your foundation or the trunk is too close to structures, removal may be the only long-term solution.
Never attempt to trim trees near power lines yourself. This work requires professionals with specialized training and equipment.
How Wilcox Tree Service Handles Hazardous Removals
Removing dangerous trees isn’t like standard tree work. These situations demand extra caution, specialized equipment, and crews who understand the unique risks involved.
Our Approach:
Thorough Assessment
We inspect the tree’s condition, stability, and surroundings. This includes checking for decay, evaluating lean, and identifying potential obstacles like power lines or nearby structures.
Customized Removal Plan
Every hazardous tree is different. We develop strategies that account for:
- Fall direction and potential obstacles
- Equipment needs (cranes, rigging systems, sectional dismantling)
- Safety zones for both crew and property
Controlled Removal
Using professional equipment—including our 45-ton crane—we remove trees in sections, ensuring no damage to nearby structures, landscaping, or utilities.
Complete Cleanup
After removal, we chip branches, haul away debris, and leave your property clean and safe.
Optional Stump Grinding
If requested, we grind stumps below ground level to prevent regrowth and reclaim yard space.
Why Homeowners Trust Us:
Experienced with Dangerous Situations
We’ve handled countless hazardous removals—leaning trees, split trunks, trees tangled in power lines, and storm-damaged failures.
Owned Crane Equipment
Our crane gives us capabilities other companies don’t have, allowing safe removal in confined spaces where standard methods won’t work.
Fully Insured
Every project is covered, protecting both our crew and your property throughout the process.
Local Expertise
We understand Keene’s trees, weather patterns, and the seasonal stresses that make trees fail.
24/7 Emergency Response
When storms bring down trees or create dangerous situations, we’re available around the clock to respond.
Don’t Wait for Failure
Hazardous trees don’t improve. Cracks widen. Decay spreads. Leans worsen. Waiting to address a dangerous tree increases risk exponentially—and often turns a manageable removal into a costly emergency.
If you’ve noticed any of these five warning signs on your property, don’t ignore them. A professional inspection takes minutes and could prevent disaster.
Protect Your Home and Family
Contact Wilcox Tree Service for expert assessment and safe removal of hazardous trees in Keene. Our team will evaluate your trees, provide honest recommendations, and handle removals with the professionalism and care your property deserves.
Call 603-363-8197 or visit us online to schedule an inspection.
Because when it comes to safety, catching problems early is always better than cleaning up after failure.