@flushcut of Delavan, Wisconsin, pointed out that “shrooms” can be a warning sign, indicating internal decay. Photo by Golden Family Foto/iStock.

Every arborist has had moments that sharpen their focus. Sometimes it’s a near miss – the kind that ends safely but leaves a lasting reminder of how quickly things can go wrong. A recent thread on the TreeBuzz forums offered exactly that kind of learning opportunity.

The discussion began with a post by @davidwyby on December 25, 2025, after he felled a Siberian elm that split unexpectedly. “Head (eyes) and head (mind) on a swivel … I’m lucky it didn’t split till it landed,” he wrote. The post’s accompanying photo showed a tree that had clearly failed internally, splitting dramatically after hitting the ground.

The incident sparked a wide-ranging discussion among arborists about hazard recognition, assessment habits and the mental discipline required when working compromised trees. It also was acknowledged that Siberian elms can be unpredictable, especially when dead or compromised. @data farm 26 summed up the sentiment shared by many in the field: “Likely my least favorite tree to work, especially dead. I can taste the dust now.”

Start with assessment

One of the first responses to the original post came from @flushcut of Delavan, Wisconsin, who emphasized the importance of evaluating a tree before committing to a cut.

“Be careful. Do you do any kind of tree assessment before lighting into it with a saw? Smacking the trunk a couple of times with an ax or mallet is an easy way to detect hollows.”

He added that other warning signs may indicate internal decay even when a trunk isn’t visibly hollow. “Insect litter, shrooms, slim flux are a few things to look for.”

@evo from Washington echoed this approach. “I always give a hard whack with the back of an ax before putting in a face. If it sounds bad, a vertical bore to confirm. Always walk the length of the tree in the direction of lay.”

@davidwyby confirmed that, in hindsight, the tree did show warning signs. “The hollow, plus codominant didn’t click as soon as it should have though. Should have just cut the stems off with their lean.”

Several contributors offered techniques for better assessing internal wood condition before committing to a hinge.
@flushcut suggested a simple method many professionals already use. “Simply boring into the trunk can tell you a lot of what’s inside the trunk.”

Another idea came from @Bart_ from the Toronto area, who proposed using a drill bit to probe the hinge zone. “Use a small bit like 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch and probe with your holes where the hinge cuts are going to be so you aren’t removing extra strength. Just an idea. Glad you’re ok.”

An immediate change of plan

@davidwyby explained that the internal condition became obvious once he began cutting. “I could tell it was hollow as soon as I got halfway around. Problem was my brain said, ‘Ok, hollow, faster cutting,’ instead of, ‘Danger, Will Robinson.’”

That moment of realization highlights a common safety challenge in tree work. Recognizing hazards is only one part of the job – the more difficult part is trusting your instincts to adjust the plan immediately.

A simple checklist

Toward the end of the thread, @davidwyby asked the group for memorable assessment checklists. @Daniel from Philadelphia cut right to the core: “Look up. Look down. Look all around.”

It’s simple advice, but it reinforces a key safety habit in tree work – continuously scanning the tree, the ground and the surrounding work zone for hazards that may not be obvious at first glance.

Conclusion

The biggest lesson from the thread may be the one @davidwyby shared himself after reflecting on the incident: Even experienced arborists can slip into a production mindset when the work seems routine.

“These trees I only had so many days to get them down while I was in town. This round was supposed to be the easy ones.”

Mistakes can happen when the work starts to feel familiar – and everyone in this discussion could empathize. And so, they did what the tree care community does best: analyze the situation, share techniques and reinforce habits that keep crews safe.

This article is based on an original TreeBuzz discussion thread in the Awakenings forum. It was chosen and compiled by TCIA staff for its relevance to this issue’s focus on safety.