Big trees add value to your property but if a tree is about to topple over it can cause more trouble than it is worth. Trees are living entities and if they are not properly cared for, they can suffer from a whole host of diseases and other problems. If you have an unhealthy tree in your garden, you need to deal with it and have it removed by a tree removal service before it falls over and damages your property or injures someone.Warning Signs That Your Tree is About to FallFortunately, trees don’t just fall over without giving you some form of a warning. You just need to know what to look for. No one knows your trees as well as you do, and you need to keep an eye on them. Inspect trees regularly, especially after big storms or strong winds, and when the leaves come out in spring and drop off in fall. Walk around your garden and pay close attention to any changes in your trees and their growth; inspect the trunk, bark, branches, and foliage. Obvious signs of trouble include:Your Tree has a Severe LeanNever ignore a tree that is leaning at a precarious angle, especially if it is hanging over your home or driveway. Most trees don’t grow straight up, and a little lean is perfectly normal. If, however, the angle at which the tree is leaning is more than 15-degrees and has been caused by wind or root damage, you need to have the tree inspected and removed by a professional tree removal service. Do not try to do the job yourself because you probably don’t have the right equipment and you won’t know how close the tree is to toppling over. If the tree has naturally grown at an angle that is close to 15-degrees it does not pose as much of a risk, but you should still have it examined by an arborist.Beware of Falling BranchesFalling branches are a serious hazard and can come crashing down on your property at any time. If your tree is losing branches, then you have a problem. A healthy tree does not shed its branches and dead branches are an obvious sign of tree trouble and indicate disease or root damage. But it is not just dead branches that break and fall. You also need to take a close look at branch growth. V-shaped growth, where branches are close together, is a bad sign as the connective wood can weaken over time and branches can easily break off in strong winds. Inspect your trees in winter to see how the branches are growing.Watch Out for Signs of Damage to TrunkHoles in your tree trunks and areas with missing bark or deep cracks, known as cankers, are often indicative of a problem. When a tree drops a branch, a cavity can form in the trunk and this can lead to internal decay and make the tree more susceptible to bacterial infection. Over time this will weaken the tree trunk and make it more likely to topple over, especially in a big storm or strong wind. A tree with multiple trunks or a split in the trunk can also be unstable.Rotten Roots are Hard to SpotTrees don’t only die above ground and often the roots show the first signs of trouble, but this can be hard to spot. A tree without a healthy root system is at risk of falling over so you need to inspect your trees from the ground up and look for mushrooms and conks growing at the base of the tree and carpenter ant activity. Premature fall colour, reduced or small foliage, and loss of leaves at the tips are all indicators that something is wrong with the roots.If you notice any of the signs that your tree is no longer in good health, you need to call in an arborist as soon as possible to give you advice on tree and stump removal services. If you have trees in your garden that need to be removed, call Martin’s Tree Service to inspect your trees and advise you on the best course of action. Steve Martin I have a profound interest in trees and their natural beauty. I grew up on a hobby farm ten minutes north of Waterloo and spent many winters in the bush collecting firewood to heat our family home. It was definitely work, so I wasn’t always eager as a young boy to help my father and big brother, but I learned to love the process... READ MORE