Hangers, splits, and root plate movement — what to look for after a Michigan thunderstorm, and which damage is genuinely urgent versus cosmetic.
After every major storm that rolls through Ingham, Eaton, or Clinton County, we get the same panicked call: 'Is my tree about to come down?' Most of the time the answer is no — but the small percentage of trees that are genuinely compromised tend to fail within the next 30 days, often during the next moderate wind event rather than the original storm.
Start at the ground. Look at the soil around the base of the trunk for any sign that the root plate has lifted: cracked turf in a half-circle, exposed roots that used to be buried, or a noticeable lean that wasn't there last week. Root plate movement is the single most dangerous finding on this list. A tree that has shifted at the base is on a clock.
Next, walk around the trunk. Vertical cracks longer than a few inches, especially ones that ooze sap or expose pale inner wood, mean the trunk's structural integrity is reduced. A crack that runs through a co-dominant union — where two large stems meet in a tight V — is particularly serious.
Look up into the canopy for 'hangers': broken branches that are no longer attached but haven't fallen yet. They're held up only by surrounding limbs and gravity. Any hanger over a walkway, driveway, roof, or play area should be removed promptly.
Finally, check for limbs that have been ripped rather than cleanly broken. Torn bark and stripped wood are entry points for decay that will weaken the rest of the limb over the next several seasons. A clean professional cut back to the next healthy union stops that decay cold.
Tree Daddy runs a 24/7 emergency line specifically for these calls. If you're not sure whether what you're looking at is urgent, send us a photo — we'll tell you honestly whether it can wait until your next regular service or whether we need to dispatch a crew the same day.
