Is Your Tree Ready for Winter? 7 Warning Signs Pennsylvania Homeowners Should Check

You probably do not spend much time looking closely at your trees until something changes.

Maybe a branch suddenly looks dead. Maybe the tree beside the driveway seems to be leaning a little more than it used to. Or maybe after a windy night, you notice a limb hanging where it definitely was not hanging before.

Those are the kinds of things worth catching before winter.

For homeowners in Glen Mills and nearby parts of Chester and Delaware Counties, fall is a good time to look for dead limbs, cracks, root movement, decay, and other signs that a tree may struggle once wet snow, ice, and winter wind arrive.

Not every problem means the tree needs to come down. But if several warning signs show up together, especially near your home, driveway, or walkway, it may be time to talk about hazardous tree removal before the weather makes the situation worse.

Why Check Your Trees Before Winter?

Winter does not suddenly turn a healthy tree into a dangerous one.

What it can do is put extra pressure on a tree that already has a weak spot.

Wet snow adds weight. Ice can coat branches. Strong wind pulls on limbs and trunks. If a branch is already cracked or a tree has lost stability around the roots, those conditions can expose the problem quickly.

1. You Have Large Dead Branches

Once the leaves fall, dead wood is often easier to spot.

Now look at what is underneath it.

A dead branch over an empty part of the yard is one thing. A large dead limb over your roof, driveway, front steps, deck, or parking area deserves more attention.

That is especially true going into winter, when snow and ice can add more weight to an already weakened branch.

Smaller deadwood may be something that can be handled through tree pruning. Large limbs high in the canopy are a different situation and should not be treated like a DIY weekend project.

2. The Tree Looks Like It Is Leaning More Than Before

Some trees naturally grow at an angle. That alone does not make them unsafe.

The question is whether the lean is new.

If you walk outside one day and think, “Has that tree always looked like that?” it is worth checking.

Look around the base for:

• Soil lifting on one side

• Cracks in the ground

• Newly exposed roots

• Changes after a storm

• A root area that looks disturbed

  
  

Old photos can help. If you have pictures of the yard from last year, compare them.

A tree that has leaned the same way for twenty years is different from one that shifted after heavy wind or saturated soil.

And if that new lean points toward your house, garage, driveway, or a neighbor's property, it is a good reason to have the tree looked at.

3. You See Cracks or Splits in the Trunk

Take a slow walk around the tree and look at the trunk from different angles.

Fresh cracks, long splits, or separation where two large stems meet can be signs of structural weakness.

This is especially important on trees with two large trunks growing from the same area. These are often called codominant stems, meaning two main stems share the tree's structure.

If you see a crack developing between them, do not try to open it up, poke at it, or climb closer for a better look.

Just take note.

A crack in a major trunk or large branch union is the kind of issue that should be professionally evaluated rather than guessed from the ground.

4. A Branch Is Broken but Still Hanging in the Tree

Not every broken branch falls right away.

Some get caught in nearby limbs. Others stay attached by a strip of wood.

These hanging branches can be easy to miss when the tree still has leaves.

After fall leaf drop, look up and scan the canopy for anything that appears broken, twisted, or out of place.

If you see one, stay out from underneath it.

Do not try to pull a large branch down with a rope or knock it loose from the ground. The problem is not simply getting it down. It is knowing where it will go when it finally moves.

5. There Is Decay, a Large Cavity, or Fungal Growth

A hollow spot does not automatically mean a tree is dying.

Trees can live with cavities and old wounds for a long time.

But there are a few things worth paying attention to:

• Soft or crumbling wood

• Bark falling away over a large area

• Mushrooms around the trunk or base

• Large cavities

• Dead sections of the trunk

• Old damage that seems to be getting worse

The base of the tree matters most because that is where a lot of the tree's structural support comes from.

If you notice significant decay near the ground on a large tree close to your home, it is better to have someone look at it before winter instead of assuming it will be fine.

6. The Roots or Soil Around the Tree Have Changed

Tree problems are not always above your head.

Sometimes the warning signs are at your feet.

Construction, trenching, driveway work, grading, erosion, or soil compaction can all affect a tree's root system.

Take a look around the base and notice whether you see:

• Lifted soil

• Cracks forming in the ground

• Exposed roots that were not visible before

• Large damaged roots

• Movement after a storm

  
  

If there has been recent landscaping or construction near a mature tree, mention that if you ask for an evaluation.

And avoid digging around the roots just to “check.” Disturbing the root system can make things worse.

7. Your Ash Tree Is Looking Thin or Dying Back

Pennsylvania homeowners should pay extra attention to mature ash trees.

Possible signs include:

• Thinning at the top of the tree

• Dead branches in the upper canopy

• Bark splitting

• New shoots growing from the trunk

• Increased woodpecker activity

• Small D-shaped exit holes

  
  

You do not need to diagnose EAB yourself.

What matters is noticing that an ash tree is declining.

Dead and dying ash trees can become brittle over time, which makes them especially important to evaluate if they are close to a house, driveway, road, or other frequently used area.

You can read more about emerald ash borer in Pennsylvania through Pennsylvania DCNR.

Does a Warning Sign Mean the Tree Has to Come Down?

No.

This is probably the most important thing to understand.

One dead branch does not automatically mean hazardous tree removal.

The bigger concern is when several things come together.

For example:

A newly leaning tree plus soil lifting around the roots.

A large dead branch directly over the roof.

A tree with significant decay and a major trunk crack.

A dying ash close to the driveway.

That is when the conversation starts changing from “Can we prune this?” to “Is this tree still safe to keep?”

Tree Guys Tree Services provides tree removal services for dead, dying, diseased, leaning, and hazardous trees in parts of Chester and Delaware Counties.

Depending on the tree and the property, the crew may use ropes and rigging, bucket trucks, or cranes to control sections during removal.

What If the Tree Is Already Damaged After a Storm?

Stay back.

A partially broken tree can continue shifting after the wind stops.

The same is true for a limb hanging over a roof, a split trunk, or a tree that is resting against another tree or structure.

Do not walk underneath it to get a better picture.

Tree Guys Tree Services also provides emergency tree removal services in parts of Chester and Delaware Counties for storm-damaged trees and trees affecting structures.

If power lines are involved, contact the utility and keep your distance.

Quick Questions Homeowners Usually Ask

Does every leaning tree need to be removed?

No. Some trees naturally grow at an angle and stay stable for decades. A new or increasing lean is more concerning, especially when you also see lifted soil, root movement, cracking, or storm damage.

Can a dead branch wait until spring?

Sometimes, but location matters. A small dead branch in an unused area is different from a large dead limb over your roof, driveway, or walkway. If something could be damaged if it falls, it is worth dealing with sooner.

Is fall a good time to inspect trees?

Yes. Once leaves begin dropping, it can be easier to see dead branches, cracks, hanging limbs, and overall tree structure before winter weather arrives.

Can I cut a dangerous limb myself?

If it is large, overhead, high in the tree, near a structure, or close to utility lines, it is better left to trained professionals with the right equipment.

A Five-Minute Walk Around Your Yard Can Tell You a Lot

You do not need to know every tree species or understand tree biology to notice when something looks different.

Look for the obvious changes.

A branch that died this year.

A trunk crack you do not remember seeing before.

A tree that suddenly looks a little farther over.

Soil lifting around the roots.

A mature ash that has lost much of its canopy.

Those are the things worth paying attention to before the first heavy snow or ice storm arrives.

If you are in Glen Mills or another part of Tree Guys Tree Services' service area in Chester or Delaware County and you are concerned about a damaged, dead, leaning, or potentially hazardous tree, you can contact Tree Guys Tree Services to discuss the situation.

For questions about hazardous tree removal, call 484-432-0180.