When Tree Removal Becomes Necessary and How to Prevent it
Tree removal becomes necessary for an array of reasons and every homeowner needs to understand how to properly take care of the trees on their property. Along with that, they need to know how to identify when it’s time for a tree to be cut down for safety, aesthetic purposes, or precautionary measures.
Signs of a Dead or Dying Tree
A dying tree shows regular symptoms as it withers and decays. If in doubt, call a tree removal service and ask them to assess any trees you are concerned about and let them tell you if it needs to be removed or if it can be salvaged and restored.
If your tree isn’t growing new buds, is peeling bark, or has mushrooms growing at its base, it’s time to call an arborist or tree removal company to take a look. Other symptoms of a dead or dying tree include:
- Broken branches
- Cavities in large branches or the trunk of the tree
- A hollow sound upon knocking on the tree trunk (less than 1/3 hollow is okay)
- Fungus growing on the tree or at the base
Dying or dead trees pose a threat to your property and can be a significant safety risk. The last thing you want is for a large branch to break and fall on top of an animal or person passing underneath it. If there’s a dead or decaying tree on your property, call a tree removal specialist to fell and remove it.
Typical Reasons For Tree Removal
Sometimes, a healthy, living tree needs to be removed. This can happen if it becomes damaged in a storm or becomes a safety risk over time. There is a multitude of reasons why a tree may need to be cut down.
1. Damage
Oftentimes after a bad storm, trees come to be damaged and become a safety hazard or present significant risk to surrounding structures such as houses. This damage can range from a complete blow-over, stem or root failure, or a twisted crown. Sadly, this kind of storm damage will eventually kill your tree. It is best to remove it before it becomes a risk to you or your neighbors.
2. Problematic Shedding
Many trees shed loads of leaves, pines, or sap. For a regular property, these trees are more of an annoyance than a real issue, but if the home has solar panels or carports, these sheddings can cause serious problems and removing the tree might just be the only solution.
3. Curb Appeal
Damaged or decaying trees are often an extremely vibrant eyesore. If you’re in the process of renting or selling your home, a problematic tree can cause unnecessary headaches and could even reduce your property value.
4. Infestation
Another rarely thought of issue for tree owners is the possibility of damaging infestations in your trees. If one becomes infested, you can bet any other surrounding trees will gradually succumb to the infestation as well. One bad tree could spoil an entire street of healthy trees. Make sure to inspect the trees on your property regularly and if you notice beetles or bugs or noticeable damage to your tree, call an arborist or professional tree removal service right away.
5. Structural Problems
Trees can experience the loss of structural integrity for a number of reasons. In severe cases, the tree will pose significant safety risks and needs to be removed. The structural integrity of your tree can be lessened by disease or decay, a “bad crotch” which can no longer support the tree branches, large cracks in the tree trunk, and overgrown or unbalanced tree limbs. Trees which lean too far in one direction point to concerning structural issues and can cause serious damage to homes and cars if it were to go over completely. Call a tree removal company near you to conduct a risk assessment of any structural issues you notice, or if there’s been a heavy storm or severe winds in your area.
6. The Tree’s Location is no Longer Viable
Due to commercial or residential development, a tree may no longer be viable in its current location. Growing trees can also create a threat to your home or neighbors’ home if its location is not suited to its size. Large trees that are pressed up against windows or fences will cause damage eventually, and aggressive root systems can even damage buildings and foundations which cause serious structural threats to your home or commercial buildings. You need to organize the removal of these trees before they have the potential to cause serious damage.
7. The Tree is a Lightning Risk
Some trees become a lightning risk, and this is especially troublesome if it is located right by your house. The damage from the lightning can result in problematic damage to the tree that threatens you and your family as well. In most cases, a lightning protection system can be installed, but sometimes tree removal is a much simpler and cheaper path to go down.
How to Take Care of Your Tree
Many problems that require the removal of the tree can be prevented with proper maintenance. Keeping your tree healthy will save you a lot of trouble and money in the long run. Regular pruning and trimming will keep your tree from becoming overgrown or unbalanced. Many tree removal services also provide tree trimming services as well. Preventative measures are always a safe bet to maintain a healthy and safe tree.
Here are some simple ways to ensure your tree will stay healthy:
- Appropriate pruning
- Regular trimming
- Watering during the first two years of life
- Use mulch to lock in moisture and protect against weeds
- If cutting your tree, always cut to a bud or trunk to prevent stumping
- Avoid tree topping: this will protect against fungal decay and rot. Let your tree remain in its natural shape
- Monitor your trees regularly to detect problem areas quickly
Conclusion
While you may do everything you can to make sure the trees on your property remain healthy, sometimes the need for tree removal is unavoidable. Storms and other damage-inducing events can take down even the healthiest, strongest trees.
The best way to ensure the health of the trees on your property is to work with a tree removal service to weed out the bad apples and keep the rest of your trees in prime condition. And if you need the help of a local tree removal service in Canton, Ohio – we’re the people to call!