Is there a tree in your yard with a pronounced lean? You may be concerned an approaching storm will put a heavy branch through the roof, or you are left to question if that venerable old oak is in good shape or on its way out.

We field such questions for our Central Ohio clientele on a daily basis at Blue Grass Tree & Lawn, LLC. As a veteran and locally owned operation out of Reynoldsburg, we provide tree service to Columbus, Westerville, Newark, Dublin and all of Franklin County. Should you have any misgivings about a tree on your land, (740) 480-5187 is the number to put us in touch.

There is no denying the value, shade and aesthetic a tree brings to a property. Yet an unstable or sickly one is a hazard of another order. It pays to know what to watch for so a minor matter does not get costly.

Leaning Trees and Shifting Soil

When a tree takes on a new slant it is putting up a sign of sorts. While some trees will grow at an angle as a matter of course, a worsening lean is usually indicative of a root system in trouble.

Check the base of the tree for:

• Heaved or cracked soil on one side
• Roots making their way out of the ground
• A lean more pronounced than it was a few months back
• Holes or gaps at the point where trunk and root join
• Unstable or soft ground

With the kind of wind Central Ohio storms put up, a tree with poor roots has a way of giving way. An inspection is in order if you spot these.

Dead or Hanging Branches

You can hardly miss a dead branch, which makes them a prime hazard. One with no leaves in season, no bark, or an awkward overhang will come down when you least expect it. More often than not it is during ice or hard wind. If you have dead limbs overhanging a driveway, the roof or an area where children play, they need to be taken care of to prevent injury.

Trunk Damage, Cavities and Cracks

The trunk is the tree’s backbone and issues there are of particular note. Be on the lookout for deep vertical cracks, open wounds or missing bark, large cavities that sound hollow, or more than one trunk with a V-shaped weak link.

Mushrooms or fungus on the trunk or at its base are a telltale of decay within; a tree can be green and full on top and rotting underneath. A hollow trunk is unlikely to hold up in a storm.

Visible Root Problems

Roots are what anchor the tree and damage below ground will make itself known above. Trenching or work on the lawn can do harm without your knowledge. You will see it in the form of mushrooms by the base, exposed roots and an overall deterioration of the tree. Have been doing any grading or digging near a big tree of late? See how it fares in the coming seasons.

Discolored Leaves and a Thinning Canopy

In season a tree in good health will have foliage to match. Early dropping of leaves, bare spots or thinning at the top are indications of a struggle. The odd year happens, but a multi-season decline is a sure sign of something like root failure or pest infestation calling for an expert.

A Professional Opinion

You can spot some things from the ground, but others are not apparent until the moment is past. When in doubt, a licensed and insured company should be called in.

Blue Grass Tree & Lawn, LLC is BBB Accredited and we will give you a free estimate to lay out your options, whether that means a trim or full tree removal. We do commercial and residential work in Central Ohio and can arrange financing via Hearth in two minutes with pre-qualification. Our office is open 8 to 5 Monday to Friday, though for storm damage and other emergencies we have a 24/7 response team.

Call us at (740) 480-5187 and let us put your mind at ease before a red flag becomes a disaster.