How do you determine if a tree needs to be cut down?

Published On : 2626/0909/20202020

How do you determine if a tree needs to be cut down?

It is a two-person job to diagnose a dead tree in keeping your yard safe from a dangerous tree. It may look like it's dying, but it may be dormant as well. Or maybe only a part of the tree, with only a few branches affected, is dead. It is difficult to tell whether it needs to be cut down or not. It's important to note that, not only during extreme weather and hurricanes, dead or dying trees or branches can fall at any moment. The removal of trees can be a risky activity that a homeowner should not attempt. Trying to cut a tree or branch yourself can produce a very dangerous situation in which significant harm can occur to both individuals and property.

Due to the physical appeal that they can bring to the house when you have a tree that should be cut down, it is really sad. Despite their advantages, if they are not in excellent physical condition, trees can be a cause of injuries and hazards. That's why you need to watch for the following signs that say if a tree should be cut down before you are at risk. 

1. Inspect the base of the tree – A good predictor of the tree's wellbeing is the tree's roots. Look closely to the ground around the base of the tree when examining the base area because decay-producing fungi like mushrooms usually grow at the base of the trunk. It is an indicator that the tree is growing, but not a warning that the tree is dead. Also, it may be a sign that the tree is having difficulty handling the land when trees begin to grow along the surface of the soil rather than into the soil itself. A shallow root system would make it more vulnerable to damage due to nature, animals, and humans, although the tree might not be in imminent danger, and that damage may lead to the removal of the tree.
2. Overhanging Branches on your Property – When it has branches that overhang your land, it is one of the most obvious signs that a tree needs to be removed. During a storm, if such branches break off, they can fall on the property and harm the space, gutter system, and siding. Since it can be an expensive job to fix a roof, and it might be worth getting rid of the tree to save your investment.
3. Health Examination of the tree – Sick trees on your land are unsafe to have. To prevent it from falling on the ground, a tree that shows signs of illness should be treated or removed. Look for the following symptoms that are indicators of illness when inspecting the health of a tree such as yellow or discolored leaves that lack veins and have nodules that look strange, trunk cavities. 
4. Incorrect Tree Type – In all areas, not all trees are meant to grow. In areas that receive a lot of sunlight, some trees do well, while others thrive in cold regions. It won't grow if you pick a tree that's not meant for your type of climate. Such a tree will experience sluggish growth, and the property will not receive curb appeal. It may even look soft or sick. With that, you should consult a tree specialist especially in choosing a tree.  
5. Pests on a tree – You would have a more serious problem than just cutting a tree in the yard if rodents make their way into the house. The safest course of action is to get rid of it entirely if there is no way to permanently exterminate the pests from the tree. Since trees act as shelters for birds and animals, but often noisy creatures can be the animals making a home on the tree. If rats, scorpions, and worms are drawn to a tree within your house, it may do more harm than good. This is common in trees that bear fruit and those that are diseased. 

If you noticed that those signs are present in your tree, don’t hesitate to get advice from an expert because it can be very dangerous to remove a tree on your own. Hence, it is important to know when to cut down a tree because it protects you and your landscape from these dangers and leaves space for you to add new life to your landscape by safely removing a dead tree.