Trees are shields of protection along the boundaries of your property. They're eye-catching and relieving. Although when a tree poses dangers to the people and elements in its shade underneath, as a tree owner, you are accountable for accidents or damage that occurs since a tree that should have been chop was left standing. The great news is you can now determine if a tree is struggling by examining its roots, trunk, branches, and location.
Nobody wants to remove a tree – they contribute to fresher air, provide shade, keep soil from eroding, and increase property values. Cutting down trees is usually the last option.
There are plenty of other alternatives before a tree care company plans to chop one. They might decide to choose tree preservation, which can involve pruning services and tree disease management. For some split trunks or weak branches, tree experts can likewise opt for tree cabling or bracing. And you can't do these conditions on your own.
Diagnosing a tree is a two-person task. You’ll need a certified arborist to execute the job for you since this is serious business, whether it's tree stump removal, stump grinding, tree cutting, tree preservation, or other kinds of tree work. You and your arborist both perform a vital part in keeping your yard safe from a dangerous tree.
Signs to Cut Down or Remove a Tree
There are several symptoms that even an amateur gardener can look for to recognize that a tree has become a risk or is infected. Below are only a few signs to watch for.
The tree is dead
This is normally rather easy to identify. Among the best techniques to confirm if a tree is dead is the tree scratch test. Beneath the outer layer of bark in a tree’s body lies the cambium layer of bark. It is dry and brown if your tree is dead. Other signs of a dead tree include:
- Little twigs without growing buds near the tips of branches
- Hanging or dead branches in the upper crown
- Large scaffold branches or cavities in the trunk
- Peeling or chipped bark
- Decay-producing fungi, like mushrooms, thriving at the base of the trunk
Leaning branches/tree
A tree’s entire form and structure shouldn’t change much as it grows. Hence, when you notice that your tree is somewhat leaning towards one side, then it’s time to call for a tree removal service. Worse, if the tree has branches leaning badly over your house, the parking, driveway, or front garden because it presents a danger to both people and property.
The tree is infested
Holes, fungi, soft wood that breaks easily, and discolored leaves are all indications that a tree may be sick. More so, there is a great risk of the pests spreading to your homes.
The trees are too close to your home
Tree roots can stretch within hundreds of meters of dirt across your yard, and if you’re digging in the soil — you’ll presumably tumble upon them. But if your trees are pretty close to your house, then they probably are endangering the stability of your building. Trees that begin growing up into power lines are serious threats and must be removed quickly. This is a dangerous problem!
The tree is storm damaged
A tree damaged in a storm is a normal occurrence. Whether it’s restorable or not must be decided by a tree service company. Sometimes, you may simply have to get the limbs or branches pruned. But if the main trunk is severely dilapidated or the roots have been damaged, then the tree will have to be cut down. Once a tree is extremely damaged or uprooted, the risks of it falling and inducing property damage are high. That’s not even thinking about the cost of damage a falling tree can cause to an individual.
Sewage problem
On a par with catastrophe, a tree can shatter your home’s foundation; the tree roots can crawl their way within your underground sewer system and damage it. Tree roots that get into your pipes can tear them apart and create an obstruction that can retrogress into your home. You don’t desire sewage in your home because it is a grave danger to your health. You’ll need to remove the trees and perhaps replace the sewer pipes — or at least examine them to ensure they are clear to provide you the peacefulness that tree roots have not damaged your pipes.
Not so prominent reasons for tree removal
Have an arborist explore these points
- There is vast crowding among trees on your property.
- The tree is in the way of construction or will be immensely damaged by heavy machinery.
- The tree is too large for its location and poses a threat if it collapses or drops branches.
- There are cracks in the leaders or main trunk.
- The tree has formed a bad angle.
- The tree has structural problems, like interior decay.
Is Permission Needed to Cut Down a Tree on your Property?
Whether permission is required to remove a tree on your property will vary on the size, the location of the tree, and its closeness to your home and other utilities like power lines.
It will likewise depend on the tree species and whether those specific tree species are protected or deemed a hassle.
There is what is acknowledged as a Tree Preservation Ordinance in every city. In this ordinance, the city outlines a particular size of the tree, which is automatically regarded as significant and becomes protected following the ordinance regulations. Your city’s ordinance on tree removal will list specifically regulated trees as either:
- Significant tree – If they are above a particular height, within 10 feet of the public right-of-way, or viewed a prime specimen
- Heritage tree – It is normally a huge, individual tree with a unique value, which is deemed valuable.
Even requesting a permit won’t ensure you can remove either of the mentioned types of trees.
Fines For Illegal Tree Removal
Bear in mind that the laws will vary; therefore, it is always necessary to verify whether you need a permit or not as fines related to illegally removing a tree can be somewhat heavy. Like the rules overseeing the permit process, maximum fines differ and can be anywhere from $2,000 to $50,000. It is often best to ask a licensed arborist to help guide you through this process to prevent fines.
Now is a great time to inspect trees, before the massive winter snowfall and worst of summer’s storms. If you see any of the above indications, contact an expert since most tree removal/cut down jobs are risky for normal home or property owners.