Is there a greater danger of a dead tree falling than a healthy tree?

Question

We have about 25 humongous pine trees in our backyard. We were told 4 of them were dead when we purchased this house and we suspect 2 or 3 others maybe also. Do the dead trees pose any more threat to falling on our house than the healthy ones? Or will even a dead trees root system keep it upright?

Answer 1

Any dead tree is a hazard but Pine roots rot especially fast after the tree dies so the threat is even greater than if it were another species.  Have them removed and definitely check for bark beetles/wood borers  so you don't lose any more.

Answer 2

Yes, take them down.  I live in Toronto and a recent storm sent many trees crashing to the ground.  Some looked healthy but were dead and decaying inside.  An accident waiting to happen.

Answer 3

Dead trees are far more likely to fall than live ones.  

Call in a tree removal company to get the dead trees out of there.  Dead pine trees are probably infested with pine borers.  Ask the tree-removal guy if it's pine borers.  It may be possible to save the trees that are still healthy.

Answer 4

That dead tree is and accident waiting to happen.

Termites love to eat inside them too.

each day is closer to a problem.

A good heavy wind could bring them down.