Tropical Storm Irma took trees down across metro Atlanta, including this one in Morningside. In some areas, including Decatur’s Medlock Park, residents were quick to lend their neighbors a helping hand.
SUSANNA CAPELOUTO / WABE

With hurricane season in full swing and Tropical Storm Irma felling several hundred trees in the DeKalb County area, the University of Georgia’s DeKalb County Extension office has offered some tips for identifying unhealthy trees.

The extension office suggests people look for …

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– Large broken or hanging branches, especially over electrical lines

– Dead branches within the canopy, which are obvious potential hazards

– Cracks in the main tree trunk or at branch connections

– Large trunk wounds, cankers and galls

– Large tree hollows or cavities, which are also weak points where breakage can occur

– Cracks or separations in the soil, which may indicate soil heaving from excessive movement of the roots. A leaning tree is a warning sign of tree failure

– Leaning trees that are already partially uprooted

– Mushrooms that may be growing on root flares or farther out in the lawn but attached to the roots.

– Excessive mistletoe, which is a parasitic plant.

The Extension Office advised to “always use caution when examining potential storm-damaged trees,” and if you need a professional tree examination, the office recommends contacting an ISA Certified arborist from the Georgia Arborist Association, which can be found by visiting www.georgiaarborist.org.

DeKalb County is also asking people with storm damage at their homes to fill out a damage assessment. To report damage to your home, click here.

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