Every spring the same westerlies come through the Hills, and every spring the same kinds of trees come down. Most of the damage is predictable. Here's what to look for before the first big blow.
Walk the block after rain
Wet soil is when root problems show. Look for cracks or heave in the ground on the windward side of big trees, and for trees that have started to lean recently. A lean that wasn't there last year is the single most urgent sign.
Look up
- Dead branches with no leaves while the rest of the tree is in leaf
- Branches rubbing on each other or on the roof
- Hollows, fungus brackets or weeping at the base of the trunk
- Long, heavy limbs stretching over the house or driveway
What to do
Deadwooding and a light thin before storm season is cheap insurance for a big gum over a house. If you see a lean, a crack or a hollow, don't wait: send us a photo and we'll tell you whether it needs attention now.