If you own a property with trees, you need to keep tabs on the health of those trees. When one tree starts to deteriorate or pose a threat to those around it, might be time to think about tree removal. But how long can you wait before taking action — and what should you look for?
Read on to find out how to know when it’s time to remove your tree!
Look for Dead Branches on Your Tree
Dead branches are one of the telltale signs that it’s time to look into removing old trees. Dead branches are those branches that don’t sprout new leaves during spring. When one of the trees in your backyard doesn’t turn to a verdant green in May, it’s time to talk with a tree expert.
You may notice that the crotch, or area between two branches, looks hollowed out or deteriorated. This could mean that this area lacks the structural integrity that it once did, and that means the branches around the crotch could fall at any moment. Dead branches toward the top of your tree’s crown may be difficult to spot, but when one falls, it could cause injury or damage. You’re better off getting regular tree trimmings and asking a tree removal service for input.
Pursue Tree Removal After Significant Storm Damage
If you’ve experienced severe summer weather, it may be wreaking havoc on your trees. Heavy downpours or strong wind gusts can make your tree more fragile. This might not be obvious to the naked eye. Storms can pull a tree’s roots from the ground. Worse yet, a storm can blow over a tree entirely. Dead trees are particularly dangerous because they can tip over at any moment.
You may be able to save trees that have taken a beating during storms, but you should ask a licensed professional to do the work. With a skilled tree expert, you’ll have someone with the training — and insurance coverage — to handle removing old trees.
Remove Your Tree When It Leans Too Much
A tree that leans a little isn’t a big deal, but when one of the trees in your backyard is tilting at a more severe angle, tree removal may be the best option. Some trees lean in order to attract more sunlight, and their root systems adapt in response to this need. Alternatively a leaning tree suggests that the roots are not anchored in the ground. Sometimes this is due to soil erosion, and sometimes it’s due to a wind storm.
In any case, a leaning tree is prone to falling. Especially if you notice a sudden lean in one of your trees, it is time to call a tree removal service.
Watch for Peeling Bark
When you see bark that peels away or chips off of your tree’s trunk, you may have a sick tree on your hands. Cracks in the trunk or strong splits can indicate that your tree is sick or dead. You also can test the twigs on your tree to see if there are signs of life. Scratch a twig with your fingernail. A greenish color in the indentation may mean your tree is salvageable.
In some instances, peeling bark may suggest that ants have infested your tree indicating your tree is decaying from within. In any case, you’re better off asking a professional tree expert for input.
Do You See Fungi at the Base?
Noticing clusters of fungi at the base of your tree may mean that the tree is sick. When you see honey fungus or mushrooms, you could be dealing with root rot, and the structural issues might not end there.
The presence of fungi in other portions of your yard usually is not cause for alarm, but when you see them near a tree’s base, that suggests that the inside of your tree is decaying. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to reverse the problem. To make matters worse, fungi spread easily. Their spores can travel through wind gusts or rainstorms. Gardening can also help spores travel and infect other trees in your yard.
When you see fungi, it could be time to remove your tree. With so much interior decay and root rot, the structural integrity of your tree will be diminished, making it more dangerous to those nearby.
A Tree that Poses a Threat Should Be Removed
Does your tree sit dangerously close to a power line? Or does it obstruct a view of a nearby intersection? Trees that threaten safety need to be removed. When you back down your driveway or cross an intersection, you need a clear view of oncoming traffic. A tree that leans or has too many branches may prevent you from getting a safe perspective. Pruning your tree may be enough of a solution, but tree removal may also be necessary.
Trees that get tangled with power lines or hang over a roof could be problematic too. The last thing you want is for a newly shingled roof to get damaged by dangling tree branches. Dead branches that hang from your tree could drop at any moment injuring anyone below them.
Contact the Right Tree Removal Service
Tree removal is a normal part of maintaining a healthy and beautiful property. Dead trees can pose a serious risk to anyone walking beneath them — or nearby structures, like your home. You’re better off consulting with a trained tree expert and addressing the problem before it’s too late.
When you need to remove your tree, contact us and we can help!