Would You Park Your Car Under That Tree? Signs a Tree Needs Attention

Here's a quick way to look at the trees around your property:

Would you feel comfortable parking your car underneath them during a windy night?

What about letting the kids play underneath them? Sitting on the patio below them? Walking underneath them every day?

If your answer is, “Well... maybe not that one,” it might be worth figuring out why.

Children sitting beneath a large mature tree in a residential yard

Signs a Tree Needs Attention: Start With What's Above You

Most of us walk past the same trees every day without really looking at them.

Look up.

Do you see a large dead branch? A limb hanging over the driveway? Branches rubbing against each other? One section with noticeably fewer leaves than the rest?

A tree doesn't have to be falling over to deserve some attention.

Now Look Down

The canopy gets all the attention, but don't forget about the trunk and the ground around the tree. Some signs a tree needs attention can actually be found closer to the ground.

Look for things that seem different—cracks, cavities, damaged bark, mushrooms or fungal growth, exposed roots, or changes around the base.

Not every unusual-looking feature means a tree is dangerous or needs to come down. Trees are living things, and sometimes they just look weird.

That's where a professional evaluation can help separate “that's normal” from “we should probably take care of that.”

The “It's Been Like That for Years” Rule

We hear versions of this one all the time.

“That branch has been dead forever.”

“The tree has always leaned like that.”

“It's survived every storm so far.”

Maybe that's completely fine. But past performance isn't an inspection.

Trees change. They grow heavier, lose limbs, experience decay, deal with insects and disease, and take on damage from wind and storms.

If something concerns you, having it looked at is a lot easier than wondering about it every time the wind picks up.

ProMark Tree Service crew member performing professional tree work in Pennsylvania

Removal Isn't Always the Answer

Calling a tree company doesn't automatically mean losing the tree.

Sometimes pruning is appropriate. Sometimes deadwood can be removed. Sometimes the best recommendation is simply to monitor the tree.

And sometimes removal really is the safest option.

The important part is knowing what you're dealing with.

So...Would You Park There?

Take another look at the trees over your driveway, house, patio, parking area, or other frequently used spaces.

If there's one that always makes you look up when the wind starts blowing, that's probably the one you already know you should have checked.

ProMark Tree Service provides professional tree pruning, removals, stump grinding, and 24/7 emergency storm service throughout Eastern Pennsylvania.