Dead tree falling risk storm wind — storm wind

Use only checks that match the exact appliance or system and its official guide.

1. Check 1

   Before a storm, or only from a protected position when wind is calm, view the dead tree from well outside its apparent fall area.

   Expected result: Look for newly broken limbs, hanging or lodged branches, fresh trunk cracks, a changed lean, lifted or cracked soil around the root plate, and branches that are moving or rubbing. Do not enter the yard or stand beneath the canopy to inspect.

   Next step: From the protected position, take a zoomed photo only if it can be done without approaching. Note whether the finding appeared after the storm and arrange urgent qualified tree service.

   Stop if: Stop all observation and stay sheltered if strong wind, lightning, falling limbs, blowing debris, or uncertain footing is present.

   Why this matters

   Why: A new crack, lean, root-plate change, or suspended branch can indicate a changed failure path after wind even when the trunk still looks upright.

2. Check 2

   From the same protected position, compare the tree's damaged limbs and lean with the people, buildings, vehicles, paths, play areas, and utility lines within the possible fall area.

   Expected result: Note any hanging branch over a target, a fresh break aimed toward a target, a new lean toward a structure or route, or a limb resting on or near a wire. Treat a wire that is down, sagging, or touching a tree as energized.

   Next step: Keep people and pets away without approaching the tree. If a wire is involved, notify the electric utility or emergency services from a safe location and report the tree and line together; do not approach the tree, wire, fence, puddle, or debris.

   Stop if: Do not cross a suspected fall zone, touch a branch or wire, move a vehicle, or use a tool to create an access path.

   Why this matters

   Why: A target in the fall path raises the consequence of failure; contact or proximity to an overhead line adds an electrical hazard that cannot be made safe by visual distance estimates.

3. Check 3

   After the storm has fully passed and the area is calm, compare the tree with earlier photos from a protected ground-level viewpoint.

   Expected result: Record new limb loss, fresh hanging wood, changed trunk angle, root-soil heaving, exposed roots, split unions, or debris that has landed on a roof, vehicle, path, or fence. Do not use a ladder, climb, pull a suspended limb, or walk beneath the canopy to verify it.

   Next step: Send the photos, the tree location, the nearest targets, and any utility-line relationship to a qualified tree professional. Keep the area isolated until it is assessed.

   Stop if: Stop if the tree is still moving, a limb is suspended, the ground or root plate is shifting, a line is involved, or safe observation would require entering the fall area.

   Why this matters

   Why: A before-and-after change identifies a storm-worsened hazard and helps an arborist or tree-removal crew plan an approach without treating the tree as stable.

4. Check 4

   Make the isolation decision from outside the hazard area rather than trying to make the tree safe yourself.

   Expected result: Classify the situation as active wind or movement, a hanging or newly broken limb over a target, a changed lean or root plate, electrical-line involvement, or a stable-looking dead tree with no new storm change. A stable appearance does not authorize entry or removal.

   Next step: For active movement or any target or line exposure, keep the area clear and request urgent professional or utility response. For a calm, stable-looking tree with no new damage, schedule qualified removal or arborist assessment before the next storm.

   Stop if: Never clean up, cut, rope, climb, brace, or enter the hazard area; stop if anyone would need to approach the tree to continue.

   Why this matters

   Why: The decision is about exposure and urgency, not a do-it-yourself proof of how or when the tree will fall.