Every year, falling trees or branches cause tragic deaths, injuries, and millions in property damage. However, it is not always necessary to take down a healthy tree unless it poses a direct threat to your immediate surroundings. In fact, a single large tree can add thousands of dollars to your home’s value and help save hundreds on air conditioning costs by providing shade on hot days. Trees also add life to our world and provide numerous other benefits.
It can be challenging to determine whether a tree is having problems. Some trees are more robust than others and may have natural characteristics that may or may not suggest potential issues, while others may appear healthy on the surface but need assistance from an arborist. Knowing how to identify signs of tree damage, such as branches with thinning crowns and dead leaves, can make it easier to identify underlying issues that require attention.
Looking at the tree as a whole is essential, not just one part of it. Take your time to examine your entire tree before deciding what needs trimming or removing. Is the tree leaning significantly in one direction? Does it lean towards any nearby structures or buildings, and has it been that way for some time or gotten worse recently? Any tree leaning towards the east is particularly vulnerable to falling as most strong winds come from the west.
When examining the tree, can you spot any dead branches or limbs, or are there lots of dead branches, particularly on one side? Are there bare areas without leaves on the tree, and do the leaves fall earlier than usual compared to other trees of the same species nearby? Do the leaves on the ground look any different, and do the tips of the branches look like they are dying?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, your tree may be in the process of decline, susceptible to falling, or already dead. It’s crucial to get it inspected immediately by a specialist tree arborist as it could pose a health and safety issue and cause devastation if it falls in the future.
Regularly checking your trees is important to stay safe and avoid any potential danger.