Clear information for a better next step.
Trees respond to their species, condition, environment, and history. General guidance is useful, but a visible concern should be evaluated in the context of the individual tree and property.
Risk depends on more than the tree
A tree becomes a greater concern when a failure could reach people, homes, vehicles, utility lines, play areas, or other valuable property. The same defect may require different action depending on what is underneath and how often the area is used.
Look at the tree, the likely direction of failure, the size of the affected part, and the people or property that could be hit. Do not wait for a branch to fall before considering the target.
Visible warning signs
Pay attention to large dead branches, hanging limbs, deep cracks, cavities, separated branch unions, lifted soil, root damage, significant lean changes, and branches rubbing against a roof or utility line. Fungal growth can also be a reason to arrange an inspection, though it does not by itself prove that a tree is unsafe.
Storms can expose defects that were difficult to see before. A tree that looks green may still have split limbs, damaged roots, or a compromised attachment.
Reduce immediate exposure
Keep people and pets away from damaged trees and do not park beneath hanging limbs. Do not climb a storm-damaged tree, use a ladder near unstable branches, or attempt to cut a limb that is under tension.
If a tree or branch is near a power line, keep your distance and contact the utility provider. Treat every downed line as energized and never use tree work as a reason to approach it.
What a risk assessment considers
A professional assessment considers species, size, defects, decay, root condition, recent damage, likely targets, and the consequences of failure. It may lead to monitoring, pruning, target reduction, cabling or other specialized work, or removal when preservation is not responsible.
A leaning tree is not automatically unsafe, and a standing tree is not automatically sound. When the concern is near a home or frequently used area, a qualified evaluation is the safest way to make a practical decision.