How To Identify Unstable Trees Around Your Home

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

Trees are a beautiful part of nature that provide sought after shade and privacy when planted around any home. However, over time trees can become weakened or sick, causing them to fall down with little warning. A fallen tree can cause tremendous damage to your home’s gutters, siding and more.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to identify unstable trees around your home to prevent a disaster from occurring.

Start with an inspection. After a heavy rainstorm or during the fall after a tree’s leaves have been shed are the best times to check out your trees for any inconsistencies. Look for differentiation between branches and bark, as cuts or peeling can indicate illness. If you don’t notice any physical symptoms, step back and ask yourself these three questions:

1. Are your trees leaning? Though it’s natural for trees to grow on a slight angle, heavy leaning can indicate uneven weight distribution among branches or root damage. Pay close attention to cracking or raised soil opposite of the lean, or exposed roots around the tree’s trunk.


2. Do you notice any trees with split trunks? Splitting at the trunk is a normal growth pattern for some trees, but the split can sometimes cause instability as the connecting point of the two trunks can be weakened over time. You may notice a long crack that begins where the split is and extends down the length of the trunk.


3. Has your home been under construction lately? Certain home improvement efforts can put nearby trees under a ton of stress. Damaged bark and prematurely changing or falling leaves can indicate disease. Be on the lookout for mushrooms and carpenter ants at the tree’s base, as they are a sure sign of rotting.

As we leave the sunny summer days behind and look towards the fall we’re also heading toward the heart of hurricane season on Long Island. Unfortunately, no matter how diligent we are, mother nature can strike at anytime.

If your gutter system or siding has been damaged by a falling tree, the repair experts at All Aluminum Gutters can help! Our gutters and siding come in a wide variety of colors and styles to match and home’s existing exterior. For more information, call 631-816-2498 and schedule your free consultation and estimate today.