How Do You Know If It’s Time to Remove a Tree?

How Do You Know If It’s Time to Remove a Tree?

Trees purify the air, provide shade and cool the environment. They give shelter to animals, protect our water reserves and even bear fruit. They also help make our communities, parks and streets beautiful and pleasant.

However, there comes a time when a tree can no longer be saved or poses risks to life and property. In such cases, tree removal may be the only option. Here are the signs you need to be on the lookout for to know it’s time to remove a tree:

1. The tree is damaged or possibly sick.

If you’ve watched the trees growing in your property, it’s highly likely you know when they are thriving and healthy. But if you see the following, be sure to call an arborist:

•          Several trunks growing out of the tree

•          Branches growing very closely to the base of the tree

•          Leaves that are dying, yellowing, wilting or falling off for no reason

•          Deep cracks in the trunk

•          Decline in the tree canopy

•          Hollow trunk 

•          Signs of root damage, such as broken or dead roots

•          Branches falling off without a conceivable explanation

All of these signs point to decay, damage or disease, so make sure you get your tree checked right away.

2. The tree is in a lurching or leaning position.

Although healthy trees that grow diagonally don’t pose any real risk, a tree that used to grow straight up, then starts to lurch or lean needs to be checked. This is especially important if its position changes for no reason or if it has been uprooted during a storm. Potentially dangerous trees should be inspected by an arborist to ascertain if it can still be saved and restored, or if it needs to be removed.

3. The tree is growing too close to your home or other man-made structures.

Observe if any of the trees in your property or neighbourhood is growing too high and getting tangled in the power lines. If you find any such tree, you’ll need to notify tree removal experts or your local council to get this sorted out as such trees can pose a dangerous fire hazard.

Also, if a tree is growing too close to your house, it can seriously damage your property during a storm or windy weather. Call an arborist to check if it only needs to be trimmed or totally removed.

4. Several trees seem to be dying one after the other.

Sometimes a cluster of trees or trees lining a certain area begins to fail or die in the space of a few months. If you notice this pattern, notify your local arborist — it can be a sign that a fungal network has invaded the area and is killing off a species of trees. Fungi, pests and disease are serious concerns when it comes to trees, so get this looked into to save the rest.

Trees are essential to our survival, but for them to do their job, they need to be healthy and not pose safety risks. If you observe any of the above signs, get in touch with an arborist or tree removal experts.