Arkansas spring and fall bring severe weather, tornadoes, ice storms, derechos, straight-line winds. Trees that might survive normal conditions often fail in extreme weather. If you spot a hazard tree before the storm hits, removal now prevents disaster later.
Dead Branches Hanging from the Crown
Dead branches are the most visible warning sign. They are brittle, do not bend, and snap easily under wind or ice load. A branch the size of a baseball bat falling from 60 feet has serious force. One falling on a car, roof, or person causes injury and damage.
Walk around your property in calm weather and look up. Branches that are gray, leafless, or obviously brittle are dead. Even small dead branches matter, a 2-inch diameter branch from 80 feet up can penetrate a roof.
Dead branches do not recover. They must be removed. Small branches can sometimes be handled DIY with basic equipment, but large dead branches hanging over structures should be professionally removed.
Cracks and Splits in the Trunk
A crack running lengthwise along the trunk indicates structural failure. Splits are worse, the trunk is actively separating. Both mean the tree is unstable and likely to fail.
Cracks and splits happen from stress: storm damage, freeze-thaw cycles, disease, or mechanical damage. Once the wood is split, the tree cannot heal. The damage is permanent.
A tree with a major trunk crack or split should not wait for the next storm. It needs removal before it fails on its own.
Root Heaving and Soil Movement
Healthy roots anchor the tree firmly in place. When soil heaves up around the base or you notice the tree shifting slightly when you push on it, the root system is compromised.
Root heaving happens when soil freezes and expands (common in Arkansas winters) or when soil settles unevenly. Shallow-rooted trees in wet soil are most prone to heaving.
A tree that heaves or becomes loose in soil is vulnerable to wind. A spring storm or even sustained strong wind can topple it. If you notice heaving in early spring, evaluate the tree's stability before storm season.
Progressive Lean or Angle Change
A tree that has leaned the same direction for years is adapted to growth conditions. A tree that develops a new lean or a lean that is worsening is failing.
Take a photo of questionable trees now for reference. Check them in 2-4 weeks. If the lean is noticeably worse, the tree is settling actively and will likely fail in the next storm.
A newly leaning tree in early spring should be professionally assessed. Many can be removed before storm season peaks in April-May.
Fungal Growth and Fruiting Bodies
Visible fungal growth on the trunk or large branches indicates decay inside the tree. The internal wood is being consumed by fungi, weakening the structure.
A shelf fungus or bracket fungus the size of your hand indicates significant internal rot. Trees with extensive fungal fruiting bodies are less able to withstand wind and ice load. Branches may break without warning.
Stripped or Damaged Bark
Bark is protective. Large patches of missing or stripped bark expose the wood to disease and insect entry. Trees with extensive bark damage are stressed and often decline.
Bark stripping happens from deer rub, ice damage, sunscald, or storm damage. The damage reduces the tree's vigor and resilience. In a severe storm, a tree with stripped bark is more likely to fail.
Poor Structure and Crossing Branches
Trees with multiple stems growing from a low fork (like a V-shape) are structurally weak. The fork is a failure point, especially if the stems are not balanced.
Similarly, trees with many crossing branches or branches that grow inward create dead zones where decay starts. Poor structure means the tree handles wind and ice poorly.
A young tree with poor structure sometimes improves with pruning. A mature tree with inherently poor branching is a risk.
Proximity to Structures and Power Lines
A hazard tree becomes an emergency when it is near your house, garage, deck, or power lines. The same tree in an open field is less critical. Context matters.
If a hazard tree hangs over your house or roof, removal should be a priority. A hazard tree within 20 feet of power lines is also critical, power company damage means liability issues and outages.
Document hazard trees near your structures with photos. This helps communicate urgency to removal crews.
Arkansas-Specific Risks
Arkansas weather creates unique challenges. Spring tornadoes and high winds are peak risk times. Ice storms add extreme weight to branches. Wet soil after heavy rain weakens root anchoring.
Trees that survive mild seasons sometimes fail in our worst weather. Dead pines are especially risky in our region, they are brittle and break easily. Dead oaks, while stronger, are massive and cause huge damage if they fall.
Cottonwoods and soft maples have weak wood and fail more readily in storms. If they are showing other hazard signs, removal is wise.
Act Before Storm Season Peaks
Late winter and early spring (February through March) are ideal times to identify and remove hazard trees. Storm season hits in April-May when demand for removal crews is highest. Waiting means higher costs and longer wait times.
If you spot a hazard tree, get it assessed and removed before spring weather arrives. A tree that fails during a storm cannot be dealt with quickly, cleanup is delayed, and damage is done.
Professional Assessment Saves Guessing
If you are uncertain whether a tree is hazardous, do not guess. Our arborist services include detailed assessment of tree health, structure, and risk. We will identify hazard trees, explain why they are risky, and recommend removal or management.
For trees showing multiple hazard signs, emergency tree removal can often be scheduled within days. Before storm season, we can prioritize hazard trees and get them down safely.
Take Action Now
Walk your property on the next calm day. Look up. Look at the base. Look for dead wood, cracks, fungal growth, and poor structure. Mark any questionable trees with a photo or note.
Call Elite Tree Service with your concerns. Our crew will assess the tree and give you honest feedback on whether it needs removal. We serve a 120-mile radius from Gurdon and have handled hundreds of hazard tree removals.
Spring storms are coming. Do not let a hazard tree become a disaster. Phone (870) 403-6290 to schedule an assessment and removal.