What to Do If Your Tree Falls in Your Yard (And Signs It's About to Drop!)

​Are you worried about one of your trees falling on your house or in your yard? Well, it's a completely valid concern, because it does happen all too often. 
In most cases, you want to resolve the issue before it becomes an issue. If you can determine when a tree is about to fall, then you can easily mitigate the side-effects of it actually falling. 
In this article, we will cover what to do when a tree falls, and how to know when it's about to. 
So keep reading to learn more.
How to Know If A Tree Is About to Fall?As mentioned earlier, the best way to resolve an issue is to prevent it from occurring. Fortunately, when it comes to trees, they are pretty good at giving signs about their health. So let's take a look at those.
Dead Branches That Fall With EaseFirst, dead branches are not a sign that a tree will fall over entirely. However, it does present a great insight into the general health of the tree. When you start to see lots of dead branches, your tree is telling that something is not right.
Branches are shed because the tree is good at self-management. It's trying to make itself smaller, which probably means that it's not getting enough nutrients, which also means that it might be getting attacked by insects or infected with a disease.
Hole In the TrunkOne of the common side-effects of trees that self-prune (drop-dead branches) is the appearance of cavities/holes in the trunk.
This open wound can lead to the decay of the integrity of the tree. However, this does not directly mean that it will collapse soon. If the cavity has enough solid wood around and it's isolated, then the tree is most likely not going to break in half or tip over.
It's best to contact an arborist for further assessment.
Missing Bark Or Deep CracksAnother sign that your tree is dying is the missing presence of or lack of bark on the trunk of the tree, which should definitely be examined by a tree professional.
The presence of cankers is a definite sign of tree death. Also, if you see deep cracks on the trunk, you should be concerned. These will make the trunk weak, thus making the tree a potential hazard. 
When you spot these issues, take care of them sooner than later.
Tight V-Shaped GrowthTrees are miracles. If a tree's branch growth is not at an ideal distance, there is something wrong with it. Branches that grow too close to each other will be in a V-shape, which is deviated from the perfect U-shape that it can have. 
The best time to recognize this branch growth is during the winter or late fall after the leaves have fallen, and the tree has already went deep into hibernation.
Rotten and Weak RootsThis issue is harder to spot but it's persistent nonetheless. Because the tree roots are covered in the soil it might be difficult to uncover at first, but there is one reliable method for finding tree rot.
Look for fungi and mushroom growth around the base of the tree, which is a good sign that the wood is rotting.
What Do I Do If a Tree Falls?First and foremost, ensure everybody's safety. Once that is settled, assess the circumstances for the presence of other hazards, such as downed power lines. If this is true, stay as far as possible and call the utilities/power company. 
Treat any cable or line as it is life, and stay away until proper specialists have arrived and addressed the issue.
If the tree falls on your house, there are several factors that will help determine how bad the situations really, and the degree to which damage has occurred. Many of these will seem urgent or obvious, but here is a shortlist of considerations that will ensure the safety of your family.
First, evacuate ASAP. If you're on the third or second story, it's best to get on the main floor as soon as possible. Make sure everyone is safe and accounted for. 
Second, call emergency help. If you find yourself in a situation in which a tree is blocking an exit, call for help. This is an emergency, and emergency help is needed.
Third, protect the inside structure. Tree roof damage will expose your home to the elements. Be careful when covering anything that could be damaged by moisture, and make surer to lock the doors and secure valuables.
Hire an Arborist/Tree SpecialistIf you've already called for emergency help from an arborist, good for you. If you haven't, now is the time. Make sure they are certified and let them assess the circumstances. Arborists are efficiently-trained when it comes to complex tree and equipment situations.
They know what to do when it comes to tree removal, and have the necessary experience in getting the job done right. It's important that good work by qualified people will cost more than the same work being done by some unexperienced fella.
Professional prices come with worker's compensation insurance, liability, and bonded security. Not to mention, the use of specialty equipment, such as hardware, loaders, and cranes. If you think  the estimate is too high, ask what it consists of. You might be getting a lot more than just tree removal.
Let's Prevent the IssueNow that you know what to do if a tree falls, and how to determine if it's about to, you are well on your way in securing your household from tree hazards. However, knowing is one part of the equation, as you also need to act upon that knowledge. 
If you need help in assessing your yard for potential hazards and consequently removing them, get in touch with us and we will happily accommodate your needs.