The Top 5 Trees Most Likely to Fail in a Storm—And What You Can Do About It

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🌀 Introduction:

Some trees stand tall through wind, lightning, and hail. Others? They snap like matchsticks. The truth is, not all trees are built to weather the storm. And if the wrong species is planted too close to your home—or not properly maintained—you could be looking at serious damage when the next big system rolls through.

Here’s a hard truth from the field: Most tree failures were preventable.

🌳 1. Bradford Pear – The Most Dangerous Tree in Suburbia

• Fast-growing, weak-wooded.

• Prone to splitting at the trunk due to narrow branch angles.

• Why it fails: One gust of wind and it shatters like glass.

• What to do: Remove and replace. It’s a ticking time bomb.

🌳 2. Silver Maple – Big Shade, Bigger Problems

• Huge canopy and shallow roots.

• Often planted too close to houses in the ‘60s–‘80s.

• Why it fails: Weak branches, decay-prone limbs, and heavy weight.

• What to do: Regular crown thinning or removal if roots are lifting sidewalks or foundations.

🌳 3. Hackberry – The Silent Crasher

• Looks solid until you get up close.

• Why it fails: Heart rot, fungal infections, and trunk splitting.

• What to do: Have it inspected yearly. Remove if rot is visible or cavity is deep.

🌳 4. Willow Trees – The Water-Hungry Widowmaker

• Loves water. Grows fast. Breaks easy.

• Why it fails: Extremely brittle wood. Falls in chunks.

• What to do: Prune aggressively, or remove if growing near a structure or septic.

🌳 5. Boxelder – The Neglected Cousin of the Maple

• Often sprouts in fence lines and behind garages.

• Why it fails: Multi-trunked and brittle. High failure rate in storms.

• What to do: Cut it down before it becomes a problem.

🛠️ Bonus Section: Signs a Tree is Likely to Fail

• Mushrooms or fungus near the base

• Cracks in the trunk

• Dead limbs up high

• Leaning more than 15 degrees

• Bark falling off

• Soil heaving near roots

Remember: Trees fail before the storm—most people just don’t notice until it’s too late.

🔧 What You Can Do:

• Have an ISA Certified Arborist inspect your trees annually.

• Avoid planting fast-growing species near structures.

• Thin crowns and remove deadwood regularly.

• Don’t wait for limbs to fall. Call when you see a problem, not when you hear it hit the roof.

🚨 Final Thought:

A falling tree doesn’t care about your siding, your car, or your kid’s bedroom window. It just falls. And it’s your responsibility to keep your property safe.

Let us help.

📞 CTA:Worried about one of your trees?Contact Shults Tree Service today for a full tree risk assessment before the next storm hits.

👉 Call us now or schedule your inspection online at www.shultstreeservice.com