Homeowner guides

Why Trees Fail

A one-page homeowner explainer: healthy trees rarely fall without warning. Here are the few causes behind most failures and the signs you can learn to spot.

Free downloadPDF · 1 page · 714 KBWF-002
Free download

Why Trees Fail

PDF · 714 KB · 1 page

Create a free account to download

Free forever, no card. One account unlocks every TreeNerd freebie, the jobsite tools and CEU tracking. Already have one? Sign in.

Root problems, weak unions, decay and cavities, cracks and deadwood, lean and soil heave, and storm load — almost every failure traces to one of these, and most leave clues. The sheet pairs each cause with what it looks like in the yard.

A 'call a pro if you see' list flags the urgent ones (a new lean, heaving soil, mushrooms at the base, a deep split where two stems meet), and a top-to-bottom guide walks the canopy, trunk and roots. Pros: a credible leave-behind that earns the inspection call.

What's inside

  • The six common failure causes, each with its warning signs
  • A 'call a pro if you see' urgent-signs list
  • A top-to-bottom inspection walkthrough (canopy → trunk → roots)
  • Plain-English explanations, no jargon
  • Room for your company name and phone (for pros)
For homeowners (and pros to hand out) — and it's free to use on real jobs.

Questions

Can I tell if my tree is dangerous myself?
You can learn to spot the common warning signs — a new lean, cracks, fungal conks, deadwood over a target. But the rating call belongs to a certified arborist; this guide helps you know when to make that call.
Is a leaning tree always going to fall?
Not necessarily — many trees lean for years. The concern is a new or worsening lean, especially with cracked or heaving soil at the base, which can mean the roots are letting go. That's a call-a-pro sign.

More free downloads

See all free downloads →