What are branches broken at the tops of trees by lightning, snow, or wind that can fall without a sound called?

• A. Dropped limbs
• B. Widow makers
• C. Crown breaks
• D. Lightning branches

Answer: (B)

Widow makers are branches broken at the tops of trees that can still fall on you, often after events like lightning, heavy snow, or wind. They’re dangerous because they can drop suddenly and quietly, catching people off guard as they work or travel underneath. In field and fire operations, you learn to scan for these hazards—dead or damaged tops, cracks in the crown, or compromised limbs—and you avoid working under them, establishing safe distances or removing the danger when possible.

Other terms describe different situations: dropped limbs typically refer to pieces that have already fallen to the ground, crown breaks isn’t the standard name for this hazard, and lightning branches isn’t a common term. Widow makers specifically refer to those perilous, potentially silent top-down hazards.