Arborist urges homeowners to check trees for hidden dangers

EXTON, Pa. (WPVI) -- Cleanup crews were still at work on the 100 block of Timber Springs Lane in Exton, Chester County, where a tree crashed into a home Monday night.

"All of sudden it was like a bomb hit...the whole house shook and the tree fell on top of the house," said homeowner Jacqui Mershurle.

The tree narrowly missed seriously injuring her adult son, who was sleeping in his bedroom when it came down.

"He said if he'd slept on the other side of the bed...he wouldn't be here," Meshurle said.

While her son survived, another incident ended tragically.

Authorities said Gilberto Senecio Feregrino was killed while cleaning up a fallen tree on Earles Lane.

As he worked, a tree from a neighboring property suddenly fell, striking him.

"We're looking for mortality in the upper canopy...so dead limbs directly over our heads," said John Rockwell Hosbach, a consulting arborist who evaluates trees and testifies in civil cases.

Hosbach pointed out visible warning signs on trees that property owners should not ignore to Action News on Wednesday afternoon.

One example included a tree with a large cavity where a limb had previously been cut off - an issue that, even without visible rot, can raise concerns about structural integrity.

He said homeowners should be proactive when assessing the condition and placement of trees on their property.

"You wanna look at defects such as decay, dead branches, location of the tree, where is it in proximity to targets - and targets are any person, place or thing that would be impacted if the tree would fail," he said.

Hosbach recommends that homeowners schedule annual inspections with an independent arborist who does not perform tree removal.

He also advises cataloging trees that may need pruning, removal or fertilization to maintain their health.

"You need to make sure your trees are maintained and managed so that nobody gets hurt," Hosbach said.

If a tree on a neighboring property appears dangerous, arborists recommend raising concerns politely.

One option is to send a certified letter outlining those concerns and provide a copy to the local municipality's code enforcement office or manager.