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Experts are checking stability of older, historic trees

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Specialized teams are inspecting every tree lining city streets before winter to find out which trees are in the worst shape.

Daniel Carr, who lives in the Myers Park neighborhood, said he cherishes natural icons around his neighborhood, but he also knows their frailty,

Watch the video above as meteorologist John Ahrens talks about the red flags experts are looking for in these Charlotte trees.

"Every thunderstorm is an adventure,” Carr said.

T.J. Wood, of Plan-It Geo, said his Florida team will be around the city this week helping to prioritize which of the old trees are in the worst condition.

"We're finding a lot of cavity decay in them, and some of these larger trees, they need to be assessed for damage and possible risk for some structures.”

The signs aren't always obvious.

Crews are having to use plastic-coated mallets and pound the trees just above the root to get a better idea of their stability.

Many of them are not giving off a typical wooden sound.

"It will sound like a drum and you'll feel those vibrations percolate into the ground where you are standing,” Wood said.

Many trees still have marks from the bands that helped the trees fight off cankerworms.

The historic trees have had to fight many battles, but age is not one it will win.

"We just want it to live, survive and replace over the time,” Carr said.