Dangerous trees
We’re going to go out on a limb here and guess that you don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the health of the trees in your yard. But perhaps you should.
Mature trees can increase your property value by as much as 10%!
And properly placed trees can reduce your summer air conditioning spending by 30% and heating costs by as much as 20 - 50%.
While exposure to trees has been shown to lower stress levels, a dangerous tree could cause property damage or harm someone in your family. Here’s how to root out any unhealthy trees in your yard before they become a problem.
To complete this task, grab a pair of gardening gloves and binoculars if you have them. A stepstool or ladder may be helpful to give you a closer-up look.
Start from the bottom of the tree and work your way up
Check out the base of trees first. If there are any ground coverings, don some gardening gloves and pull them back to get a closer look. Are there any hollow cavities? Are mushrooms growing on the tree? Is the tree oozing any liquid? These can all indicate problems.
Look at the ground around the trees. Is it cracked? Is it raised on a side? This can indicate that the tree is unstable and could be in danger of toppling over.
Next, check out the ground around the canopy of the trees. Are there roots sticking out above the ground? Visible roots can be a sign that a tree is struggling and could topple over.
If a tree is giving you warning signs, it could be time to call an arborist in to see if it can be saved or needs to be removed.
Check out the bark
Take a close look at the bark on the tree. Are there large sections missing? This could be indicative of a lightning strike. A tree might be able to survive one, but if there are multiple sections of missing bark your tree might be struggling.
Strong bark is the sign of a healthy tree. If a tree has experienced damage to 25% or less of its bark, it may survive without intervention. More than that, however, and the tree may die without help. An arborist can help you determine if grafting repair can help your damaged tree.
Be sure to branch out
Dead branches are the first to fall and can cause injuries to your family or home. Broken and dangling branches on a tree should immediately be removed. Branches that have cracks where they attach are dangerous. Deciduous trees, those that shed their leaves annually, will have no leaves or brown leaves during times when other trees are full of green leaves. For evergreens, look for branches with brown needles and missing bark. If you can safely remove branches that are small and low to the ground, do so. If you cannot, call in a professional.
Tree problem got you stumped?
If a tree in your yard is showing signs of distress, it’s time to call in a professional.