The Ultimate Homeowner’s Guide to Tree Health and Removal
Trees are keepers of life. They provide the oxygen we breathe, serve as wildlife shelters, and even give us a large amount of the food that comes across our tables.
They are nature’s greatest beauty and, when healthy, they make a perfect addition to any home garden. However, like all living things, they grow, live, and eventually die. Recognising the difference between a healthy and dying tree is crucial for its health, soil quality, and your home’s safety.
A damaged tree can fall easily, causing costly property damage or injury. When healthy and well-maintained, it’s perfectly suited to coexist with all your other plants. Nevertheless, its beauty and cool shade can serve as a distraction from some subtle warning signs that it may be rotting. And when it does rot, your tree sadly has to go.
In this guide, we’ll paint a clear distinction between healthy and damaged trees in order for you to recognise the red flags flashing among the green crowns of your trees. And when you spot them, it’s time to call a tree cutting specialist to take care of the issue properly and in a safe manner!
Why Tree Removal Matters for Home Safety
Protecting nature is important; however, ensuring your home’s safety always comes first. Trees that are decaying or damaged can cause serious damage to surrounding property. Sick trees, or those that are growing too closely to your property, can result in fallen branches, or even, in worst-case scenarios, whole tree trunks collapsing on your house, or onto surrounding power lines.
Removing them can sometimes mean the distinction between life and death. Because if a tree is at risk of falling, it could seriously injure someone, be it a family member, a neighbour or a passer by. Trees come with various environmental and property benefits; however, they thrive in specific conditions and need proper long-term care.
If any of their needs aren’t met, it can cause root decay, which is dangerous for tree stability, or even branch rotting, which leads to serious damage to anything below. That’s why, when executed by professionals, tree cutting services are essential for livelier outdoor spaces and home safety. When you remove a damaged, dying tree, you open up space on your property for new, better landscape contributions. You can plant a new tree, or grow a garden, the opportunities are endless.
Signs of Disease or Decay in Trees to Watch For
It’s easy to spot a healthy tree with its strong trunk and a luscious crown of green leaves. But how do you spot a damaged one? Sometimes the signs are clear. Leaves don’t grow, some branches slouch lower, and the tree may lean sideways. However, sometimes the signs don’t flash so brightly, but are equally important.
Tree decay occurs internally within the tree’s structure. When that structure is attached by some bacteria or fungi, it destroys the wood inside, causing the tree’s vascular system to weaken. The tree can no longer support its weight and is at risk of collapsing. Its external layer, the bark, protects the inside from external threats. When you notice it peeling or crumbling off, there is a good chance that the tree’s health and internal structure have been compromised.
A very clear sign that your tree’s health is compromised is leaf discolouration. The leaves of deciduous trees naturally turn a bright shade of orange in autumn. However, if you notice them changing colour during the warmer seasons, something is definitely wrong. In most cases, if bacteria and fungi damage the inside of a tree, wounds will start appearing along its exterior as well. Your tree can also start leaning to one side, which signals a problem with the heartwood or even root rot.
When to Call a Professional Arborist?
The regular amount of tree care required, such as watering, mulching, and basic tree pruning, can be done by every individual. There isn’t much science to it; it’s just basic care you sign up for when you introduce a tree to your property. However, when certain care requires more than a ladder and some basic clippers, it’s time to bring out the big guns – the arborists.
You should call a professional arborist when you notice heavy branches leaning over your head, signs of disease along your tree, or if there is any storm damage to your trees after a recent downpour.
Arborists are trained professionals. They will examine your tree and give you a proper diagnosis. If your tree is salvageable, they will point you in the right direction, and if it needs to be cut, they have the proper equipment to do it. Regular arborist visits help maintain your tree’s health and ensure your property stays safe and protected.
Step-by-Step Tree Cutting Process
Even though the tree cutting process should be done by a professional arborist, it’s crucial that you know all the steps they need to take for the tree to safely come down. Firstly, your arborist will do a final check-up, ensuring there aren’t any loose branches that can collapse and hurt someone midway through the cutting process.
Afterwards, they will gather their safety equipment and tools. From helmets to gloves and chainsaws, everything needs to be in place to ensure the safety of the workers and the home. The arborists need to determine where the tree is going to fall. If it’s leaning towards one side, there is sadly no avoiding it; it will surely fall that way.
But, if it’s still standing upright, there is a chance the direction of the fall can be controlled. To ensure the tree falls in the direction they want, the cut needs to be made on the “fall side”. Before the final cut, they will remove any risky branches ensure maximum safety. Once cut down, arborists will clear the surrounding area, and your property will be clean and as good as new.
Conclusion
In conclusion, tree removal is sometimes necessary for the benefits of your home, property, and family. Damaged trees can destroy their surrounding ecosystem, cause safety concerns for you, your property, and your neighbours. Arborists are trained professionals who will examine your tree thoroughly and give you a proper diagnosis so you know where your tree’s health stands. In the end, even if removal is in store, that opens up new possibilities for your outdoor space.
