How to tell if your trees are likely to topple from strong winds

GOLDEN, Colo. (KDVR) — This weekend’s strong winds will bring a major concern for tree damage.

With forceful gusts, along with rain and snow for some, the storm could force trees to topple across the Front Range.

“It’s time to get out, take a look at your trees before we have issues where potential damage can take place,” said David Boswell, general manager of Ross Tree Company.

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It can be deadly if trees are not taken care of.

“Trees are the one vegetation that can kill you,” Boswell said.

Can your trees withstand strong winds?

Boswell shared how you can determine if your tree is a threat to tumble.

“One of the biggest things you want to look out for is if your tree is moving a lot in the wind. Contrary to what people think, having movement in the canopy of your tree is a good thing,” Boswell said. “Those branches are actually buffering the wind and helping to provide support and stability for the tree. If you have a tree that’s not moving, looks real brittle — that’s when you should be concerned.”

What to expect: Gusts up to 80 mph possible on Saturday

He said there is one eye test that can determine if a tree is in trouble.

“Look for broken and hanging branches in a tree. See if those branches are sitting at an awkward level or angle, because that could signify structural issues,” Boswell said. “Thick canopy creating a lot of capture for the snow, and a lot of capture for the wind.”

Another thing experts say can be detrimental for trees is over-pruning them, meaning cutting off too many branches that help to buffer the high wind gusts.

When it doubt, call a tree expert

With the heavy wind and precipitation, Boswell expects to be busy moving trees.

“We’ll have our emergency team on call for any calls that may come up,” he said.

If you have any doubts about your tree, you are encouraged to call an expert to come out and inspect it.

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