Uprooting a tree from your property can be an emotional task. Trees tend to have very long lives, often surpassing hundreds or even thousands of years. Trees have a way of growing in the hearts of the community even when the tree is not established on your property. Trees offer a range of benefits from improving your mood to purifying the surrounding air. Regardless of the benefits, every so often trees can pose a safety hazard. There comes a time when trees become too dangerous to keep on your property either due to age, disease or other factors. Five Star Tree Services wants you to understand when you should be concerned about a tree and when it may be time to call one of our arborists to have it removed.
Is the Tree Healthy?
The most fundamental aspect to think about before removal becomes an option is the actual health of the tree. Some signs show a tree may be in poor health as opposed to simply in a period of shedding. A tree that has oddly shaped leaves or those whose growth is stunted are likely sick. If a tree is more than 50% discolored, damaged or has unusual funguses growing chances are it’s time for it to be removed. One of our arborists will be delighted to come out and evaluate your tree prior to making any removal decisions.
What About the Trunk?
Periodically a tree may experience a minor illness that can be corrected with pruning or other treatments. In other cases, there may not be a cure for the sick tree. Checking the health of the trunk is an effective way to discover just how healthy or sick a tree is. A tree trunk that has open wounds, dead branches, and large cracks can fall over at any moment. This poses a danger not only to your property but also to people who live in the area. A hollow trunk even on a tree that seems healthy is also dangerous.
What About the Roots?
When checking on the health of a tree, it is also important to check the base and its roots. If the roots are rotting or damaged, the tree won’t have the proper support it needs to stay rooted. This places the tree in danger of falling which is a hazard to both you and your property. It is also critical to check the ground around the trees. Any tree that is leaning may have root problems that signal it is time for the tree to be removed.
Are there Branch Sprouts at the Base?
Small branches growing from the bottom of the tree may seem like an attractive part of their growth cycle, but it actually signals ill health. Trees will sprout branches at the base following a period of acute stress. Some common forms of stress that may cause sprouting are;
• Excavation
• Excessive sun exposure
• Soil compacting
• Construction damage
In many cases, a tree won’t need to be removed due to these sprouts, but it is important to have an arborist check for further issues. If the sprouts are due to fungus or rot, the tree will require removal.
Is it Under Hydro Lines?
If you have a tree that is still growing but is located under utility lines it may need to be removed. In many cases, regular trimming and pruning will allow the tree to remain in place. However, if regular maintenance is not possible, removal is the only option.
What about Dead Branches?
A tree that has a lot of dead branches along its crown can pose a danger to your property and surrounding homes. Providing your trees with regular maintenance will prevent a buildup of dead branches and prevent the need for tree removal. If you need to have your trees evaluated Five Star Tree Services is here to help. Give our highly skilled arborists a call at (416) 990-3355 to schedule a visit today.