In the United States, over 100 people are injured or killed every year because of falling trees. Many more suffer serious damage to their homes and cars. The good news is that you can protect yourself, your family, and your property from falling trees. The best way to do this is to know when you need emergency tree removal.
This isn’t always an easy process. It can be hard to spot dead branches through the leaves and determine whether a tree is leaning over too far. That’s why we’ve put together this guide. We’ll go over eight signs that you need emergency tree removal so that you can avoid damage and stay safe.
1. Signs of Tree Diseases
It’s extremely important to monitor your trees for signs of diseases. Many common tree diseases can cause large branches, or even the entire tree, to fall. Worse, they can spread from tree to tree if they’re not dealt with promptly.
Common symptoms of tree diseases include spotted leaves, unusual growth patterns, wilting leaves, and insect infestation. The good news is that many common tree diseases can be treated and cured. But it can be hard for someone without experience in the field to accurately diagnose a particular disease.
If you notice signs of disease on any of your trees, call your local tree professionals and have them come out to take a look. This will ensure you get an accurate diagnosis and can develop an effective treatment plan.
2. New or Abnormal Leaning
When inspecting the trees on your property, you may notice some of them starting to lean to one side This is a strong indicator that you need an emergency tree removal service. New or abnormal leaning often means that your tree is in danger of falling. While slight leaning is perfectly safe and normal, any tree with a 15% lean from vertical needs to be checked out by tree professionals. This is especially important if the tree is near a structure or pathway.
3. Damaged or Decaying Roots
It can be hard to check your tree’s roots because so much of the system is underground. Nevertheless, you should frequently check the visible parts of your tree’s roots for decay and damage. A tree with a weakened root system is more likely to fall over during storms or strong winds.
Fungus and mushrooms growing at the base of your tree can be a sign of internal rot or root disease. Mushrooms growing in a ring around your tree is another sign to watch for.
Fungal growth can be perfectly normal, or it could be an indicator of root rot. It’s important to call tree specialists in so they can evaluate the problem and take action if necessary.
4. Dead Branches
Branches with dead leaves and missing bark need to quickly be removed by experts, especially if the branches are particularly large. Strong winds and other environmental factors can cause these limbs to break off and fall. This can be especially damaging if the branches are hanging over your car, house, or other structures on your property.
If you notice a tree with many dead branches on one side, it likely has a major structural problem. Dead wood weighs much less than living wood. One side full of dead limbs compromises the balance of the tree and makes it more likely to fall.
5. Trunk Damage
If a tree’s trunk is damaged, you’re likely to see large pieces of missing bark, cracks, and cavities. These are all strong indicators that the tree is no longer structurally sound.
Some cavities are natural and don’t affect a tree’s structural integrity. This is another situation where tree experts can inspect the cavity and determine whether it is too large for the tree to sustain.
6. Hollow Trunks
The exterior of dead trees rots much slower than the inside of the trunk. Most trees can live with a little bit of hollowing out, but if one-third of the tree is hollow, it needs to be removed.
Hollow trunks compromise the strength and structural integrity of the tree. If you have one of these on your property, you’ll need an emergency tree service to come out and deal with it to remove the risk of fall damage.
7. Too Close to Power Lines
The space needed between trees and power lines is larger than you might expect. Electricity can arc up to ten feet from power lines during wet weather. As such, a tree’s branches should never get within ten feet of power lines.
If you have trees within fifty feet of power lines, even if they’re small, you need to get them trimmed at least once a year. Never attempt to prune or trim these trees on your own. Experienced tree professionals train to be able to perform this service safely.
8. Extensive Damage
Wind, ice, storms, fire, lightning strikes, and other types of inclement weather can cause severe damage to trees. Damaged trees can quickly become fall hazards if they’re not promptly removed.
Here’s another good rule of thumb. If more than half of a tree is seriously damaged, it needs to be removed by an emergency tree service.
Emergency Tree Removal Cost
The cost of emergency tree removal can vary widely based on the type of work you need to be done. It will also depend on the state and region you live in.
When looking for emergency tree removal services, keep in mind that extremely low prices often equate to poor service. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Look for tree professionals who charge a fair and reasonable price for their work.
Emergency Tree Removal Near Me
Knowing exactly when you need emergency tree removal is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your property from tree fall damage. If you notice any of these eight signs on your trees, it’s time to call in the professionals.
Tree-Line Arbor Care is the safest choice for all of your tree needs. All of our crew members receive extensive safety training and continue their education with yearly classes. We hold weekly safety meetings and keep a certified tree care safety professional on staff.
At Tree-Line Arbor Care, we take great pride in the safety and quality of our work. If you need emergency tree removal in Albany, GA, contact us today.