A split trunk can bring down half a tree with no storm involved at all, and it usually starts with a structural flaw called included bark.
When two main stems grow from nearly the same point on a trunk, the bark between them can get pinched instead of fusing together solidly. That weak union may hold for years before finally giving way under the tree's own weight.
Texas Tree Authority inspects San Antonio trees for this kind of structural risk, especially live oaks and hackberries that were never pruned while young to establish a single strong leader. Corrective pruning or cabling can sometimes reduce the risk before it becomes a failure, extending the safe life of a mature tree that would otherwise need removal.
If a tree on your property has two big trunks splitting low to the ground, it's worth having an arborist take a look.
#TreeSafety #SanAntonioArborist #IncludedBark #TexasTreeCare
A photo of a real tree with a visible co-dominant trunk or included bark seam, or a crew member inspecting a trunk union.
Canva text suggestion: "Two Trunks, One Weak Point" or "Know the Signs of Structural Risk"