Signs a Tree Is Dangerous Before Storm Season in BC
The first big windstorm of the fall is when weak trees show themselves. Knowing the signs a tree is dangerous before the weather turns gives you time to…
The first big windstorm of the fall is when weak trees show themselves. Knowing the signs a tree is dangerous before the weather turns gives you time to act while it is still calm. This guide covers what to look for, who is qualified to judge a hazardous tree, and what homeowners, strata councils, and property managers in Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley should do before storm season.
None of this replaces a professional opinion. A tree that worries you should be looked at by a qualified arborist. What this guide can do is help you spot problems early and ask the right questions.
Why Fraser Valley Storms Bring Trees Down
October is when the weather changes character in the Fraser Valley. Atmospheric rivers bring days of heavy rain, and windstorms often follow close behind. That combination is hard on trees.
Saturated soil loses its grip on roots, so a tree that stood firm all summer can tip in a gust it would normally shrug off. Evergreens like cedars and firs keep their full canopy through winter, so they catch every bit of wind. Deciduous trees still holding wet leaves in early fall carry extra weight at the worst possible time.
Most storm damage to trees is not random; it usually traces back to a structural weakness that was already there. Decay, a weak branch union, root damage, or a crack gives the storm something to find. That is why a careful look before the season matters so much.
Signs a Tree Is Dangerous: What to Look For
You do not need training to notice most warning signs. Walk around the tree, look up into the canopy, and look down at the base. These are the signs worth taking seriously:
Dead or hanging branches: dead limbs in the canopy, or broken branches caught in other branches (arborists call these hangers).
Cracks and splits: deep cracks in the trunk, or splits where large limbs join the trunk.
Fungus and decay: mushrooms or shelf-like conks on the trunk or base, soft or crumbling wood, or hollow cavities.
A new or worsening lean: a tree that leans more than it used to, especially with cracked or raised soil on the opposite side.
Root problems: roots cut by digging, paving, or trenching, or soil heaving near the base after wind.
Thinning or dead tops: a canopy much thinner than similar trees nearby, or a top that has died back.
Multiple trunks with a tight V: two or more main stems joined in a narrow V, sometimes with bark squeezed into the joint.
One sign on its own does not mean a tree will fail. Several signs together, or one serious sign near a house, parking area, or path, is a reason to call a professional soon.
Is My Tree Going to Fall? Think About What It Could Hit
Risk is not only about the tree. It is also about what sits underneath it. A tree with a defect at the back of a large lot is a lower priority than the same tree leaning over a bedroom, a driveway, a playground, or a building entrance.
When you size up a tree, ask two questions: how likely is it to fail, and if it did, what would it hit? Arborists use the same logic in a formal assessment.
How a Professional Tree Risk Assessment Works
A tree risk assessment is a structured look at three things: how likely a tree is to fail, how likely it is to hit something, and how serious the result would be. It ends with a written finding and recommended actions, not a guess.
In North America, the recognized credential for this work is the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) from the International Society of Arboriculture. TRAQ is a voluntary qualification open to ISA Certified Arborists (or people with a relevant degree). It involves a two-day course and an assessment, and holders retest every five years.
The point of TRAQ is a standardized, systematic process. Two qualified assessors looking at the same tree should reach similar conclusions. If you are searching for a tree risk assessment in Abbotsford or anywhere in the Fraser Valley, asking whether the arborist holds TRAQ is a good first filter.
The Three Levels of Assessment
ISA describes three levels of tree risk assessment:
Level 1, limited visual: a quick walk-by or drive-by survey of many trees, looking for obvious defects. Useful for screening a large property or checking after a storm.
Level 2, basic: a detailed visual inspection of one tree from the ground, walking all the way around it. This is the standard assessment for most trees.
Level 3, advanced: extra tools or methods to investigate a specific concern, such as testing for hidden decay, inspecting from up in the tree, or examining roots. Used when a Level 2 raises questions it cannot answer.
When you hire an arborist, it helps to ask which level they are quoting. Ask for a written report that identifies each tree, the defects found, a risk rating, and recommended actions with timelines.
For Homeowners: What to Do About a Hazardous Tree
If a tree on your property shows warning signs, start by taking photos from a few angles and noting what is underneath it. Then contact an ISA Certified Arborist, ideally one with TRAQ, for an assessment. Avoid climbing the tree or cutting large limbs yourself, especially anything near power lines.
Before removing a tree, check with your municipality. Many BC cities have tree protection bylaws that can require a permit, even for trees on private land, and the rules vary from one city to the next. Your arborist can usually tell you what applies.
If the tree overhangs a neighbour's property or a shared fence line, talk to your neighbour early. A calm conversation before a storm is much easier than one after a limb has landed on a roof.
For Strata Councils and Property Managers
Strata councils and property managers face the same tree questions on a larger scale, with more people and more targets underneath. A tree over a parking row or a busy walkway deserves a closer look than one in a quiet corner.
Who Is Responsible for Trees in a Strata?
In general, trees on common property are managed by the strata corporation. Trees on limited common property or within a strata lot can be handled differently, depending on the strata plan and the bylaws. Councils should check their own bylaws and the BC Strata Property Act, and get professional advice where the answer is not clear.
Duty of Care Under the Occupiers Liability Act
The BC Occupiers Liability Act sets the basic standard. Section 3 says an occupier must take the care that is reasonable in all the circumstances so that people and their property on the premises are reasonably safe. The standard is reasonableness, not perfection.
An "occupier" includes whoever has responsibility for and control over the condition of the premises. For strata common property, that is generally the strata corporation. On a commercial site, it may be the owner, a tenant, or both, depending on who controls what.
In practical terms, reasonable care with trees usually looks like this: someone looked, wrote down what they found, and acted in a sensible timeframe. This is general information, not legal advice, so councils should confirm their obligations with their own legal and insurance advisors.
Keep a Tree Inventory and Inspection Log
A written record is the simplest way to stay organized and show care. A basic tree inventory lists each significant tree with:
A number and its location on a site map
Species, if known, and approximate size
What sits under or near it (parking, entrance, roof, path, play area)
Known defects and the date they were noted
The latest arborist rating and recommendations
Pair the inventory with an inspection log that records the date, who looked, what they saw, and what happened next.
A log keeps trees from slipping through the cracks when council members change. It also helps council plan and budget for tree work instead of reacting to it after a storm. The strata landscaping guide covers how grounds records fit into the bigger picture of common property care.
When to Check Trees and When to Prune
The best time to look at trees is before storm season, not after the first windstorm. Late summer and early fall leave time to book an arborist, get a report, and finish priority work before the weather turns.
A simple yearly rhythm works for most properties:
Late summer: walk the property and note any trees showing warning signs.
September to early October: have an arborist assess flagged trees and anything over homes, parking, or paths.
October: complete priority work first, such as hazard limbs over entrances and driveways.
After major storms: do a quick walk to check for new damage.
Late winter: schedule larger structural pruning where the arborist recommends it for the species.
Tree checks fit naturally into the rest of the fall routine. The Landshapers guide to fall property maintenance for commercial and strata sites covers how leaves, drainage, and pruning come together before the wet months.
What to Do After Windstorm Tree Damage
Even well-cared-for trees can fail in a severe Fraser Valley windstorm. A short plan made in advance means no one is scrambling in the dark.
Stay clear: keep people and vehicles away from fallen trees and hanging limbs.
Power lines first: if a tree is touching a power line, stay well back and call the utility. Never touch the tree or the line.
Call a professional: a qualified arborist or tree service should handle removals, especially large or unstable trees.
Document it: take photos before cleanup for insurance and, on a strata, for the inspection log.
Once the hazard is gone, the rest of the property usually needs attention too: debris cleanup, damaged beds, and turf repair. Landshapers offers property and strata maintenance along with its other landscaping services. If you want to plan grounds care around your trees this season, talk to Landshapers about your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a tree is going to fall?
No one can predict failure with certainty, but some signs raise the risk a lot. Watch for deep cracks, fungus or mushrooms at the base, dead or hanging branches, a new or worsening lean, and lifted soil near the roots. Several signs together, or any sign on a tree over a house, driveway, or path, is a good reason to have a qualified arborist assess it soon.
What are the signs a tree is dangerous after a windstorm?
After a storm, look for fresh cracks in the trunk, split branch unions, broken limbs hanging in the canopy, and soil that has heaved or cracked around the base. A tree that suddenly leans more than before is a serious warning. Keep people and vehicles clear, stay away from any tree touching power lines, and call a qualified arborist or tree service.
Who is qualified to do a tree risk assessment in Abbotsford?
Look for an ISA Certified Arborist, ideally one who also holds the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). TRAQ is a voluntary credential that requires a two-day course, an assessment, and retesting every five years. Ask which assessment level the arborist is quoting and request a written report with each tree, the defects found, a risk rating, and recommended actions.
Who is responsible for trees in a strata?
In general, trees on common property are the strata corporation's responsibility. Trees on limited common property or inside a strata lot can be treated differently, depending on the strata plan and bylaws, so councils and owners should check their bylaws and the BC Strata Property Act, and get professional advice when the answer is not clear. This is general information, not legal advice.
Who pays for tree removal in a strata?
It usually depends on where the tree sits and what the bylaws say. Work on common property is typically a strata expense, often paid from the operating fund or, for larger projects, the contingency reserve fund. Trees on limited common property or a strata lot may be handled differently, so check your bylaws and the Strata Property Act, and ask your property manager or advisors to confirm.
Do I need a permit to remove a hazardous tree in BC?
Often, yes: many BC municipalities have tree protection bylaws that can require a permit to remove certain trees, including some on private land. The rules vary by city, and some bylaws treat trees an arborist confirms are hazardous differently from routine removals. Before any removal, check with your municipality, and ask your arborist which rules apply to your property.
