5 Signs Your Oak Needs a Professional
Live oaks in South Florida are built tough — but hurricane season and decades of growth eventually catch up with every tree. Here's how to tell when it's time to call an arborist instead of DIY-ing it.
1. Deadwood in the canopy. Gray, leafless branches in the upper third of the tree aren't just ugly — they're projectiles waiting for a wind gust. A certified arborist can selectively prune without stressing the live crown.
2. Fungal conks on the trunk. Any hard, shelf-like mushroom growing from bark is internal rot wearing a hat. Most homeowners never see the decay underneath until the tree has already lost structural integrity.
3. Leaning since the last storm. A tree that shifted 10+ degrees in the last hurricane has a compromised root plate. The next storm might finish it.
4. Cracks where major limbs meet the trunk. These "included bark" unions can split under load. An arborist can brace or remove the weak limb.
5. Your utility company flagged it. If FPL marked your tree for clearance, get a second opinion before they do the job — their crews cut for clearance, arborists cut for tree health.
When in doubt, ask.
Use the chat bubble in the corner to get a free assessment. Our AI walks through photos with you and flags anything a certified arborist should look at in person.