A storm moves through Sonoma County overnight. By morning you’re standing at the window, watching a large oak sway near the roofline, wondering whether you should have caught a problem sooner.
Most trees that fail in a storm showed warning signs well before the wind arrived. Learning to read those signs is the difference between a planned visit from an arborist and an emergency call after a limb comes through the garage.
This guide walks you through what to look for at the roots, trunk, and canopy, how often to check, and when tree removal services become the responsible choice rather than a last resort.
Key Takeaways
- A new or worsening lean, especially with soil lifting on one side, is one of the most urgent warning signs a tree may fail.
- Check trees from the ground up: root zone first, then trunk, then canopy. Most serious problems start low.
- Saturated soil plus high wind is the combination that brings down otherwise stable trees during Sonoma County storms.
- Inspect your trees seasonally and again after every major storm. Twice a year is a reasonable baseline.
- Some warning signs (cracks, decay, root damage) need a professional risk assessment, because what’s visible from the ground rarely tells the whole story.
- Removal is sometimes the safest decision. A certified arborist can tell you when preservation is still possible and when it isn’t.
Why Storm Season Strains Sonoma County Trees
A healthy tree can stand through decades of wind. The trouble starts when the ground softens.
Winter rain saturates the soil, loosening the root anchor that holds a tree upright. Add a strong gust, and a tree that looked fine in July can tip in January. Trees in the Suburban Wildland Interface, on slopes, or recently exposed after a neighbor’s tree came down face a higher risk, because they catch wind they weren’t grown to handle.
Drought stress, compacted soil from construction, and root damage from trenching all weaken trees in ways you may not see until a storm tests them. That’s why a calm-weather inspection matters so much.
Warning Signs a Tree May Be a Storm Hazard
Work from the bottom up. The most dangerous problems often hide at the base.
Signs at The Root
The roots hold the whole tree. Damage here is hard to spot and easy to underestimate.
Watch for:
- Soil heaving or cracking on one side of the trunk, which can mean roots are pulling loose
- Mushrooms or shelf fungus at the base, a common indicator of root or trunk decay
- Roots that were cut, paved over, or damaged during recent construction or landscaping
- A tree that suddenly sits at a new angle after a storm
A lean that appeared recently, paired with lifted soil, is an emergency-level sign. Keep people and vehicles away from the fall zone and call an arborist promptly.
Signs on The Trunk
The trunk carries the load of every branch above it.
Look for:
- Vertical cracks or splits running up the bark
- Cavities, hollows, or soft, crumbling wood
- Large areas of missing or peeling bark
- Two main stems joined in a tight V with bark pinched between them, a weak union that splits under wind
A single small cavity isn’t always a death sentence. A large hollow, deep crack, or spreading decay is a reason to get a professional opinion before the next storm.
Signs in The Canopy
The canopy is where storm damage often becomes visible to the homeowner first.
Check for:
- Large dead branches or limbs with no leaves while the rest of the tree leafs out
- Hanging or broken limbs caught in the canopy, sometimes called widow-makers
- Branches that cross, rub, or grow over the roof, driveway, or power lines
- Thinning or off-color foliage, which can signal decline lower down
Anything overhanging a roof, driveway, or walkway deserves a closer look before the next storm rolls in.
How Often You Should Inspect Your Trees
A good schedule keeps small problems from becoming storm emergencies.
- Twice a year as a baseline: once in fall before winter storms, once in spring as new growth comes in.
- After every major storm, walk the property and look for fresh cracks, hanging limbs, leaning trunks, or lifted soil.
- After nearby changes, such as construction, trenching, a new lawn, or the removal of a neighboring tree that leaves yours newly exposed to wind.
Catching changes early gives you time to act before a storm forces the decision.
What You Can Check Yourself vs. When to Call a Professiona
You can do plenty from the ground. Walk a slow circle around each large tree and look at the base, the trunk, and up into the canopy. Note anything new since your last look. Photos help you track changes over time.
Keep both feet on the ground. Climbing, using a chainsaw on elevated limbs, or working near a leaning trunk is how serious injuries happen, and it’s the work our crews train for under Z133 safety standards.
If a tree is touching or near a power line, don’t approach it. Contact your utility, then an arborist for tree removal services.
When you spot something on the warning list, that’s the point to bring in a certified arborist for a tree risk assessment. A trained eye reads decay, structural defects, and lean angles that are easy to miss or misjudge from the lawn.
When Tree Removal is The Right Call
Sandborn’s first priority is preserving trees whenever it’s safe to do so. Cabling, pruning to reduce wind load, and root care can extend the life of many trees that look troubled at first glance.
Some situations call for tree removal services, including:
- A tree leaning toward the house with root or soil failure
- Major structural decay in the trunk or main stems
- A tree positioned where failure would strike people, vehicles, or structures
- A species or specimen poorly suited to its location and beyond reasonable repair
When any of these apply, the safer path is a professional assessment and a clear plan rather than waiting for the next storm to make the decision for you.
Large or Storm-Damaged Trees Near Structures
For large or hard-to-reach trees near buildings, our crews use crane-assisted removal to lift sections out in a controlled way, reducing risk to the roof, fence, and surrounding landscape.
When a storm has already caused damage, our 24/7 emergency storm response handles assessment, debris removal, and securing the area so your property is safe again quickly.
Permits, Ordinances, and Nesting Birds
Nesting birds and local ordinances factor in too. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Sonoma County tree rules can affect timing and permitting, and Sandborn can help you sort out what applies before any work begins.
Get a Professional Assessment Before the Next Storm
Catching a hazard early gives you choices. Catching it after it fails costs far more. Sandborn Tree Service has worked Sonoma County properties for over 50 years, through wet winters, dry summers, and the wildfire conditions specific to this region.
If a tree on your property shows any of the warning signs above, or you simply want peace of mind before storm season, contact Sandborn Tree Service for a professional assessment and a clear, detailed proposal.
Contact our team online or call Sandborn Tree Service at (707) 823-9144 to schedule an appointment with the appropriate estimator and get expert guidance on your trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if a leaning tree is dangerous?
A lean that has been there for years and shows no soil disturbance is often stable. A lean that appeared recently, or one paired with lifted or cracked soil at the base, is a serious warning sign. Keep the area clear and have a certified arborist evaluate it promptly.
What's the most important sign of a storm-hazard tree?
Root and soil problems at the base. They’re the hardest to see and the most likely to cause a full tree failure in saturated, windy conditions. Mushrooms at the trunk, heaving soil, and a new lean all deserve fast attention.
Can I remove a hazardous tree myself?
Ground-level checks are fine for any homeowner. Removing a large, leaning, damaged, or near-structure tree is dangerous and best left to insured professionals with the right equipment. Tree removal services exist precisely because this work carries real risk to people and property.
Does a hollow or cavity mean the tree has to come down?
Not always. Trees can live for years with some internal decay. The concern is how much sound wood remains around the cavity and where it sits. A tree risk assessment measures this so the decision is based on the tree’s actual condition.
What should I do if a storm has already damaged a tree on my property?
Stay clear of fallen limbs and any tree near a power line, and report downed lines to your utility. Then call for professional help. Sandborn offers 24/7 emergency storm response to assess damage, remove debris, and secure the area safely.
