10 Signs a Tree Is About to Fall (and What to Do)

The clearest signs a tree is about to fall are a new or growing lean, soil cracking or heaving at the base, deep cracks or splits in the trunk, hollow or rotting wood, mushrooms growing on the roots, and large dead branches in the crown. If a tree shows two or more of these signs and could hit your home, car, or a walkway, it should be checked right away.

Denver trees take a beating from heavy spring snow, dry winters, Chinook winds, and summer hail. Most trees don’t fall without warning. This guide shows you the warning signs a tree is going to fall, how to judge the risk, and what to do before it comes down.

10 Warning Signs a Tree Is About to Fall

1. A New or Increasing Lean

A tree that has always leaned a little is usually fine. A tree that starts leaning after a storm, or leans more each season, is a red flag that the roots are letting go.

2. Cracked or Heaving Soil at the Base

Look at the ground on the side opposite the lean. If soil is lifting, cracking, or mounding up, the root plate is moving. This is one of the most urgent signs a tree is going to fall.

3. Deep Cracks or Splits in the Trunk

Vertical cracks that go deep into the wood weaken the trunk. Cracks that are getting wider, or that open and close in the wind, mean the tree could split at any time.

4. Two Trunks Splitting Apart (V-Shaped Union)

Trees with two main trunks joined in a tight “V” often have a weak union. A crack running down between them is a common reason trees fall in half during Denver snowstorms.

5. Hollow or Rotting Trunk

Soft, crumbly wood, large cavities, or a hollow sound when you tap the trunk all point to internal decay. A tree can look green on top and still be hollow inside.

6. Mushrooms or Fungus at the Roots

Mushrooms, shelf fungus, or conks growing on the trunk or roots usually mean root rot. Rotted roots can’t hold a tree up in high wind.

7. Dead Branches in the Crown

Large dead limbs at the top (called deadwood) can drop on their own and often mean the whole tree is in decline. Read our guide to the signs a tree is dying to learn more.

8. Peeling Bark and Bare Wood

Big patches of missing bark expose the wood underneath to rot and insects. On ash trees, bark splits and woodpecker damage often mean emerald ash borer, which leaves trees brittle and likely to fall.

9. Damaged or Cut Roots

New sidewalks, driveways, sewer work, or fences can cut major roots. Trees often fall 1 to 3 years after root damage, so think back on any digging near the tree.

10. Sudden Branch Drop

If a large tree branch fell on a calm day, the tree may have hidden decay. Check the break: dark, soft, or hollow wood is a strong warning that more of the tree could fail.

How Risky Is Your Tree? A Quick Check

What you see	Risk level	What to do
One small dead branch, tree otherwise healthy	Low	Keep an eye on it
Old, stable lean with no soil movement	Low to moderate	Check after big storms
Trunk crack, fungus, or large deadwood	High	Get it inspected soon
New lean with lifting soil, or a split trunk	Severe	Keep people away and call now

Risk goes up fast when the tree is close to your house, garage, driveway, play area, or power lines. A tree that could fall onto something important is a hazardous tree even if it only has one or two warning signs.

Why Trees Fall in Denver

• Heavy, wet spring snow. March and April storms, and early October snow, load branches while leaves are on. This is the top cause of tree falls in Denver.
• Strong winds. Chinook and downslope winds off the foothills can gust past 70 mph in winter and spring.
• Drought stress. Dry winters and hot summers weaken roots and wood over time.
• Weak-wooded species. Siberian elm, cottonwood, and silver maple are common in older Denver neighborhoods and break more easily.
• Pests. Emerald ash borer has killed many ash trees along the Front Range, and dead ash trees become brittle quickly.

What to Do If a Tree Is Going to Fall

1. Keep people, pets, and cars away from the area the tree could hit.
2. Don’t try to cut it down yourself. A failing tree can move in ways you can’t predict, and leaning trees are under heavy tension.
3. Stay clear of power lines. If the tree touches or leans on lines, call Xcel Energy.
4. Take photos of the lean, cracks, and base. They help with insurance if the tree does fall.
5. Call for a professional inspection and removal. If it’s urgent, ask for emergency tree removal in Denver.

If a tree has already come down on your home, follow our step-by-step guide on what to do when a tree falls on your house.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Tree Before It Falls?

Removing a risky tree before it falls almost always costs less than removing it after it lands on a roof. In the Denver area, typical price ranges are:

• Small tree (under 30 ft): $300–$800
• Medium tree (30–60 ft): $700–$1,800
• Large tree (60 ft+): $1,500–$4,000+
• Leaning or hazardous tree near a house: $1,000–$5,000+, depending on access and whether a crane is needed

Frequently Asked Questions

Worried a Tree Is Going to Fall?

Call Tree Removal Denver at (983) 277-2893, 350 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80223. We connect Denver-area homeowners with licensed, insured local crews who can check a leaning or damaged tree and remove it safely before it falls, 24/7.

Need a different job done? See everything we cover for tree removal in Denver, CO, from single trees to storm cleanup across the metro area.