Your Tree Looks Fine — Until It Isn’t
🟠 5 Hidden Hazards That Could Destroy Your Landscape (and Your Wallet)
If you live in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, chances are your trees are doing more than just looking pretty. They shade your home, anchor your landscape, and quietly raise your property value.
But here’s what most homeowners don’t realize:
Even a healthy-looking tree can be hiding dangerous, expensive problems beneath the bark.
As certified arborists, we inspect trees in Fort Worth, Keller, Southlake, and across the metroplex every week—and we often find serious risks long before a tree shows outward signs of trouble.
Let’s talk about five of the most common hidden tree hazards we uncover—and how you can spot early warning signs before they cost you thousands.
1. That Dead Limb Might Not Look Dead (Yet)
Some limbs still grow leaves… even when they’re dying inside. It’s easy to miss—until one comes crashing down during a storm.
We’ve seen a $300 limb removal turn into a $7,000 roof repair. In most cases, a weak or hollow limb gives clues if you know what to look for.
What to check:
Fungus or mushrooms on a limb
Cracks where a branch meets the trunk
No bark, brittle wood, or sawdust
Branches crossing or rubbing
Local story: We removed a large overhanging branch in Roanoke that looked fine—but was 80% hollow from carpenter ants. It was directly over a child’s playset.
2. Leaning Trees Aren’t Just “Aesthetic”
If a tree has leaned slowly over time, it may be fine. But a new or worsening lean is often a sign of root problems or shifting soil—and in North Texas clay, that’s a big deal.
In neighborhoods like Haslet and Colleyville, we frequently see leaners due to erosion or past trenching near roots.
Watch for:
Fresh cracks in the soil at the base
Lifted roots on one side
A tilt that has suddenly worsened
Signs of fungus near the base
3. Roots That Strangle the Tree from Within
Girdling roots wrap around a tree’s trunk and choke off water and nutrients. It’s a slow death—and completely invisible to most homeowners.
Often caused by improper planting or container-grown trees, this issue weakens a tree’s structure over time.
Clues:
The base of the tree flares unevenly—or not at all
Bark cracks near ground level
One-sided canopy growth
✅ Good news: If caught early, a certified arborist can fix it without removing the tree.
4. That “Minor Rot” Could Be Structural Decay
A soft spot on the trunk? A hollow? A little bark loss?
All are potential signs of internal trunk decay, which can severely weaken a tree—even if the canopy looks full.
Certified arborists use tools like resistographs or “sounding” techniques to detect internal rot long before a trunk fails.
🛠️ We recently discovered advanced decay in a large red oak in North Richland Hills—despite its healthy foliage. Without early detection, it would have likely failed in the next windstorm.
5. Hard Soil = Starving Roots
Compacted soil is one of the most overlooked threats to tree health—especially in newer developments and high-traffic areas.
When roots can’t breathe or absorb water, the tree slowly declines. By the time symptoms show in the canopy, damage may already be extensive.
Symptoms:
Yellowing or sparse leaves
Minimal annual growth
Thinning canopy or early leaf drop
Mushy runoff during watering
A soil probe test takes 10 minutes—and can prevent years of slow decline.
Quick-Check Cheat Sheet: Visual Signs of Tree Trouble
Use this for a basic tree walkthrough in your yard:
Fungal growth on trunk or limbs
Sparse or one-sided canopy
Bark peeling or missing near base
Branches growing in awkward directions
Recent leaning, soil cracks, or exposed roots
Little to no new growth this year
Want to Learn More?
These trusted resources offer great info (without trying to sell you anything):
TreesAreGood.org – The official public resource from ISA
Texas A&M Forest Service – Local tips and alerts
ISA Texas – Certification and standards in our region
Final Word: Trees Don’t Complain — Until It’s Too Late
You water the lawn. You service the AC. But your trees?
They often suffer in silence… until something snaps.
An annual inspection from a certified arborist can help you catch problems early, protect your home, and preserve a tree that might mean more than you realize.
