Take a Closer Look: The Trees Around Your House and Driveway This Fall

All summer, leaves hide most of what’s going on inside a tree’s canopy. Once they drop, you can see the branches, the trunk and how the whole thing is put together.

That makes October a good month to walk your property and take a closer look, especially at the trees near the places you use every day.

Where to look

Start with the trees that matter most if a limb ever came down:

• Around the house. Branches over the roof, touching the siding, or hanging over gutters.
• Along the driveway and walkways. Low limbs, dead branches over where you park, anything you’ve started ducking under.
• Where people gather. Over the deck, patio, play area or the spot where you set up chairs in summer.
• Near wires. Note branches growing toward utility lines, but never try to cut near them yourself.

What to look for

You don’t need to be an expert to notice changes in a tree’s condition. Look for:

• Dead branches. No leaves this past summer, bark peeling off, or wood that looks gray and brittle.
• Cracks or splits in the trunk or where large limbs meet the trunk.
• Mushrooms or fungus growing at the base or on the trunk.
• A change in lean, or soil that’s lifted or cracked on one side of the tree.
• Hollow or soft spots in the trunk.
• Two trunks joined in a tight “V,” which can be a weak point as the tree grows.

Most trees are perfectly healthy. Taking a little time to look them over helps you stay informed and address any concerns early.

What to do with what you find

Small dead twigs you can reach from the ground are usually a simple homeowner job. Anything larger, anything over the roof or near wires, and anything on the list above deserves a closer look from a tree care professional.

Not every tree needs to come down. Some issues are handled with pruning: removing dead wood, thinning a limb that’s too heavy, or raising branches over a driveway. Other times, removal really is the right call.

Get it settled before winter

A closer look now can help you identify trees that may need attention and plan any necessary work before winter arrives.