7 Warning Signs Your Tree Won't Survive Hurricane Season
North Florida's hurricane season runs from June through November, which means right now, in the heart of it, is exactly the wrong time to find out your tree can't handle a storm. Every year, Shaw's Tree Service gets calls after a tropical system rolls through Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, and the surrounding area, and almost every one of those calls is for a tree that showed warning signs weeks or months before it actually came down.
The good news: most hazardous trees give you notice. Here's what to look for, and what to do about it, before the next storm forecast rolls in.
1. A Leaning Trunk
A tree that's always leaned a certain way isn't necessarily a problem. A tree that's leaning more than it used to, or one that developed a lean recently, usually means the root system has been compromised. Heavy rain and saturated soil, common throughout North Florida in late summer, make this worse by loosening the ground around the roots.
What to do: If you notice new or worsening lean, especially after a recent storm or period of heavy rain, have it inspected before the next one.
2. Cracks or Splits in the Trunk
Vertical cracks, splits, or seams in a tree's trunk are a sign that the wood's structural integrity has already failed in that spot. Under wind load, a cracked trunk is far more likely to snap.
What to do: Don't wait. A cracked trunk is one of the more urgent hazards we see, since it can fail with very little warning.
3. Dead or Hanging Limbs
Deadwood is one of the most common causes of storm-related property damage, and it's also one of the easiest problems to prevent. Dead limbs lose flexibility and strength, so they're often the first thing to come down in high wind, sometimes landing on roofs, cars, or power lines.
What to do: Routine trimming that removes deadwood before storm season significantly reduces this risk.
4. Fungus, Mushrooms, or Cavities at the Base
Mushrooms growing at the base of a tree, or soft, hollow-sounding spots in the trunk, often indicate internal decay. A tree can look perfectly healthy from a distance and still be structurally unsound at the base, which is exactly where it needs strength most.
What to do: These trees need a professional evaluation. Decay at the base is one of the harder problems to judge from the ground, and it's also one of the most dangerous if the tree does fail.
5. Roots Lifting the Soil or Sidewalk
If you're noticing the ground heaving near the base of a tree, or roots pushing up pavement, sidewalks, or your driveway, the root system may be shifting. This is especially common in Jacksonville's sandy soil, which doesn't anchor large trees as firmly as clay-heavy soil further inland.
What to do: Lifting soil is often visible well before a tree actually leans or falls. It's worth a look from someone who can tell the difference between normal root growth and a sign of instability.
6. Limbs Overhanging the Roof, Driveway, or Power Lines
Even a perfectly healthy tree becomes a bigger risk if its canopy hangs directly over your home, car, or the power lines feeding your street. In a hurricane or strong tropical storm, it's not just about whether a limb breaks. It's about what's underneath it when it does.
What to do: Strategic trimming to reduce canopy weight and clear overhangs is one of the most cost-effective ways to limit storm damage before it happens.
7. A Recent, Unexplained Change in Foliage
A tree that suddenly drops leaves out of season, or shows thinning, yellowing, or patchy foliage without an obvious cause, may be stressed or in decline. Stressed trees are generally more vulnerable to wind damage than healthy ones.
What to do: This one's easy to miss because it looks gradual. If a tree looks noticeably different than it did a few months ago, it's worth having someone take a closer look.
What to Do Before the Next Storm
If you recognize any of these signs on your property, don't wait for a storm warning to do something about it. Once a hurricane or tropical storm is in the forecast, tree service companies get booked quickly, and some hazards, like a badly cracked trunk, aren't safe to leave standing even for a few days.
A few things you can do right now:
● Walk your property and look specifically for the signs above, especially on large trees near your home
● Schedule trimming for any limbs overhanging your roof, driveway, or power lines
● Have any tree with decay, cracking, or a new lean evaluated by a professional
● Know who to call for emergency removal before you need them, not during a hurricane watch
When It's Too Late to Wait
If a storm is already approaching and you have a tree that looks like it could fail, don't try to handle it yourself. Large limbs and leaning trees under wind load are dangerous even for experienced crews with the right equipment, let alone a homeowner with a chainsaw. Get people and pets clear of the area and call a professional.
Shaw's Tree Service provides 24-hour emergency storm response throughout Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns, Nocatee, and the rest of North Florida. Whether you need a hazardous tree assessed before the next storm or emergency cleanup after one, our crews are ready.
Call (904) 388-9960 for a free estimate, or request one online.
