When Your Tree Talks Trouble: Why Noisy Trees Could Mean Trouble

The sound of the wind rustling through the leaves of nearby trees can be soothing, as can the odd creak or two. However, if your tree is being rather noisy recently, groaning much more than usual, it could be trying to tell you something.

While some creaking or groaning in a tree is normal, especially in windy areas, excessive noise could be an indication that your tree requires your intervention.

Don't ignore these noises. Listen and watch because your tree might be experiencing one of the following issues.

Dead or Dying Branches

If one or more of your tree's branches have died, they will become dry and brittle over time. The longer you leave them in this state, the more likely that they will come crashing down on a windy or stormy day. Excessive creaking or groaning, even on days when the wind isn't that strong, could mean a dead branch is about to fall.

If possible, examine your tree from a distance, perhaps from a nearby window. Look for any branches that lack leaves and appear dry. If your tree is deciduous — that is, if it loses its leaves in autumn — and it is now autumn, it might be difficult to tell.

In this case, you should hire an arborist to assess the tree and suggest a course of action.

Rubbing Branches

Sometimes, when a tree hasn't been trimmed in a while, its canopy might become a little cramped. When this happens, the branches begin to rub together in the wind, groaning and rasping as they move. Aside from the racket this makes, this could become a serious problem.

When branches rub together in this way, the friction rubs away the bark and exposes the inner tissues of the tree. If diseases or pests then infiltrate the wounds, the branches will eventually die. As mentioned above, dead branches could come crashing down, putting people and buildings at risk.

Trunk Damage

Excessive groaning may also be an indication of trunk damage. For instance, if your tree's trunk has cracked somewhere in the middle due to an old injury of some kind, the wood in the area will be weakened and brittle. Weakened trunks make a lot of noise on windy days.

This is a serious problem because a strong gust of wind could eventually bring the entire tree crashing to the ground. Therefore, take the groaning of your tree as a warning that it is struggling to stay upright. You should consider hiring an arborist to remove it before the wind brings it down on your property.

Is your tree groaning and moaning? Don't ignore it. Call an arborist to assess it before it becomes a danger to you and your home.

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