How To Identify And Remove A Dangerous Tree

Trees play a significant role in the conservation of the ecosystem by ensuring that sufficient levels of oxygen are available in the environment. They also serve as a home for rodents and other small animals. Some trees also serve as a source of food for humans and animals. Despite these numerous benefits, a tree could also pose a threat to one’s safety. This can be because they have damaged roots, hanging limbs, changes in the bark, dead limbs, and a poor structure. These are problems that need to be addressed once they have been identified either by you or your local tree inspector. Suppose the tree is damaged beyond repair or poses a serious threat to your safety, then it must be removed immediately. Thankfully, there are several tree services that can help you remove dangerous trees safely. Just reach out to any of them for help.  

In case you don’t know, tree hazards are considered a liability. This means, if your tree or a limb from it falls off and damages someone else’s property or injures another person, you could get sued.

Suppose you are having a problem identifying a tree that needs removal; here are some common ways to judge if a tree needs to be removed. 

Tree Leaning: 

Tree leaning is often caused by breakage or the weakening of roots. Once a tree starts to lean towards one direction, the best thing to do is to have it removed immediately.

Growing Under Power Lines

Once you notice that your tree is growing dangerously close to a power line, you should reach out to a tree service company immediately. They will help trim the extending branches before it starts touching the power lines.  

Environmental Factor

A tree growing on rock ledges or near a body of water will surely have a shallow root system. All it takes for these types of trees to fall over is a strong wind. Also, when trees are suddenly exposed to direct rays of sunlight, maybe due to the building surrounding them getting demolished, they usually become severely stressed. This sudden exposure may eventually kill off the tree. 

Generally, trees that are not removed during construction never live beyond two to three years. They usually end up succumbing to grade changes, soil compaction, and other environmental conditions.

Available Space For Growth:

Unlike in the wild, where trees grow very close to one another to form a canopy, trees around your house are expected to grow at least 20 feet away from the house so as to avoid tree branches falling over the roof of the house. 

Location Of The Tree

Trees that interfere with the sightlines of traffic signs, streetlights, stoplights, etc., or ones that grow too close to the main road are likely to cause accidents. They could also impede the flow of traffic if they fall. So before this happens, one must have such trees removed. 

Damaged Trunk

Once a tree trunk is damaged severely, it is best to remove such trees. This becomes increasingly important if over 25% of the trunk has been damaged. These damages could be in the form of seams, vertical cracks, dead branch stubs, old and large wounds which suggests internal decay.

Hollow Trunk

Trees that have one-third of their interior hollow or rotten should be removed as soon as possible. 

Large Dead Branches: 

If more than 25 percent of the branches on a tree are dead, the best option is for such a tree to be removed. Rubbing or crossed branches should also be looked into by an arborist.

Dead Branches Found On One Side Of The Tree Only

Dead branches found on just one side of the tree is usually an indication of a damaged trunk or root. This often makes the trees look lopsided, and they are potentially hazardous.

Fallen Bark

When insects or other diseases infest a tree, some parts of it may begin to fall off. Once you notice that the bark of a tree is starting to peel off, the next step is to call on an arborist to examine the tree for treatment or removal.

Fungus Growing Near Tree Base

Although not all fungus growing at the tree base indicates root disease; however, mushrooms growing on a tree is not a good thing. Such a situation needs to be examined by an arborist immediately. 

Sprout Growing Near Tree Base

Tree sprouts are usually a result of severe stress. So when you start seeing small epicormic shoots forming at the root base, you should have an arborist check the trees out.