A few years ago, a client called us the morning after a wind event. A large white pine at the
edge of their property had come down overnight, taking out a section of their deck and landing
twenty feet from their boathouse. They had noticed the tree leaning slightly the previous fall and
thought about calling someone. Then winter came, and it moved down the list.
This is one of the more common calls we get after a storm. And almost every time, the
homeowner already knew something was not right with the tree. They just were not sure how
serious it was, or whether it was worth the cost of dealing with it.
Here is what we know after more than 20 years of working on cottage and residential properties
in the Muskoka area.
Most tree problems are visible before they become emergencies
Trees communicate stress in specific ways, and most of the warning signs are visible to anyone
who knows what to look for. The challenge is that cottage properties are often unoccupied for
extended periods, which means the signs can progress significantly between visits.
Making a habit of walking your property and actually looking at your trees, especially the large
ones near structures, can catch problems early when the options are simpler and the costs are
lower.
The warning signs worth taking seriously
A lean that has developed recently or is increasing is one of the clearer signals. Trees that have
grown at a slight angle over decades are usually structurally sound. Trees that have begun
leaning due to root failure, storm stress, or soil erosion are a different situation entirely. If a tree
near your cottage or boathouse has shifted its lean over a single season, that warrants a closer
look.
Dead or dying sections anywhere in the upper canopy are worth watching. A major branch that
is not leafing out in spring, losing its bark, or showing obvious decay can drop without warning.
The larger the branch and the closer it is to a structure, a dock, or an outdoor seating area, the
more urgently it needs attention.
Fungal growth at the base of the trunk is often a sign that the root system or the base of the tree
is rotting from the inside. Shelf mushrooms, discoloured patches of bark, or soft spots at the
base can all indicate internal decay. A tree can look completely healthy from the outside and still
be structurally compromised at its core.
Cracks or splits in the main trunk, especially V-shaped forks where two major limbs meet, are a
structural concern. The geometry of a V-crotch puts significant stress on the union between the
two limbs, and a crack forming there means the tree is already failing at that point.
Exposed or damaged roots are sometimes overlooked. Roots that have heaved, been cut
during nearby excavation, or been covered by significant fill are under stress, and that stress
can show up years later in the stability of the whole tree.
After a storm, do a full walk
Muskoka sees serious wind events every season. After any significant storm, it is worth walking
your property specifically to look at the trees rather than just checking for obvious damage. A
tree that partially uprooted and settled back down may look fine from a distance. A major limb
that cracked at the base but did not fall may be held in place by surrounding branches.
These are the situations where the risk is highest, because the tree has already been
compromised but has not yet come down. The next wind event or ice load may be all it takes.
What a tree assessment actually involves
When we come out to look at a tree, we are evaluating the whole picture: the lean and its
direction relative to structures, the condition of the canopy, visible signs of decay or damage at
the trunk and base, the root zone, and the surroundings. We will tell you what we see and give
you a clear recommendation.
Sometimes the answer is removal. Sometimes it is removing specific limbs and monitoring the
rest. Occasionally a tree that looks concerning turns out to be structurally sound. We would
rather come out, take a look, and tell you there is nothing to worry about than have you sitting
on a problem through another winter.
What not to do
Do not wait for the tree to resolve the question on its own. A tree that comes down during a
storm does not choose when or where it falls. It does not schedule itself for a time when no one
is on the dock, or when the boathouse is empty.
Do not attempt to remove a large or leaning tree without the right equipment and experience.
Tree removal on a cottage property, especially near water or structures, requires proper rigging
and the ability to control where sections fall. It is genuinely dangerous work done without the
right approach.
And do not assume that because a tree has been there for decades it will keep standing. Age is
not stability.
Concerned about a tree on your property? Request a quote using this link.