How to Tell If a Tree Needs to Be Removed

A tree is not only a beautiful addition to your home or business’s landscape but it also helps to keep the environment balanced and healthy. Keeping a healthy and stable tree is an ideal scenario, but sometimes situations arise where a tree may need to be removed. Generally, it is best to leave this type of project to a professional as it involves the use of heavy equipment and is a very risky undertaking. An improper removal can result in serious injury or property damage. Depending on the circumstances it could be in your best interest to contact a local tree service for advice and assistance.

The first thing that you should do is take a good look at the actual tree in question. An initial sign that a tree is dead is the presence of fungus on the trunk. Fungus growth on a tree trunk is an indication that the internals of the tree have been affected and that the life support tissue (xylem and phloem) has been compromised. This compromise of the vascular system will make it difficult for the tree to live and will eventually lead to a complete tree death.

Another way to determine if a tree is dying or needs to be removed is by looking for any large areas of decay on the trunk and branches of the tree. If there are a lot of large areas of decay then the tree is likely beyond saving and should be removed by a professional.

Other signs that a tree is dead include the presence of large and widespread limbs that have broken off. This is often a result of storm damage or extreme weather and can be very dangerous if the tree falls.

Unstable trees should also be removed by a professional as they are very dangerous. If a tree is unstable it means that it can fall at any time and could cause damage to buildings, vehicles, or people. This can be caused by a combination of factors including a structural problem, improper pruning, or the wrong species of tree for an area.

If a tree is very close to a building or power lines then it may need to be removed using a controlled dismantling process. In this method the tree is cut into sections that are lowered to the ground. This is usually performed by a tree service because it can be very dangerous for a homeowner to do on their own and should only be done by an experienced and trained professional.

It is important to note that when a tree is to be removed it must not be left standing for any length of time as this will increase the risk of insect infestation and further damage the surrounding landscape. Ideally the stump of the tree should be ground down until it is no longer visible. This can be done with a stump grinder or by digging it out with a backhoe.