Your tree may be suffering from sudden branch drop syndrome, also commonly known as summer branch drop or sudden limb failure. When this occurs, large and mature trees that are seemingly healthy lose limbs without warning.

There is no known reason as to why this happens, but it is more common in aging trees. The first branch that falls due to sudden limb failure probably came as a surprise. Attend to your tree as soon as possible because there might be more branches ready to fall.

How can you prevent this from happening? Well, because we don’t know the exact cause, it is hard to say how to prevent it. One common theory is that high humidity can produce extra moisture that weakens the structure, while other researchers believe that it is caused by internal issues.

Here is what you CAN do to lower the chance of branch drop syndrome:

• Call on professional arborists to assess for a tree trimming. This will remove dead branches that may pose a threat or to clear out the clutter to open up the canopy
• Plan to have your tree inspected annually so that an expert can find other dead offshoots or potential risks
• Follow the basic tree care tips which include: watering, mulching, fertilizing, and trimming

We at Cleveland tree company VanCuren want your home’s trees to be as healthy and as safe as possible. Take care to address any tree issues you notice, like sudden branch drop syndrome, with your local professional VanCurent team. We can provide an inspection, tree trimming services, and tree removal if your tree requires it. Call us with any questions or to get started!