There’s nothing quite like a vibrant, green lawn full of healthy, thriving trees. They provide shade for your lawn, by creating a canopy of protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. They also create life-giving oxygen and provide a vital component for our planet’s ecosystem.
Trees are home to a host of species, inviting everyone from bluebirds to friendly little squirrels to build their homes. It’s no wonder we love trees! And keeping your trees healthy is important, which is why you should know the right time to cut them down.
Our Twin Cities tree pros at Vital Tree Service have compiled a list of some of the biggest signs to look for to know when your tree should be removed.
1. Fungus or Mushrooms
While there are some fungi that won’t harm your tree, some can be quite dangerous to your tree’s health. Some fungi can weaken the tree’s health and cause damage to the tree that makes it a hazard.
When decay-producing fungi appear at the base of the tree trunk, it’s a sign you may need to remove the tree.
2. Trunk Damage
A strong and stable trunk is key to a tree’s overall health, which is why any tree trunk damage should be assessed. Whether it’s from construction or natural forces, a wound to the tree’s trunk exposes its vital living tissue to all kinds of infections from bacteria, fungi, and insects.
If a large wound to the tree’s trunk is not recoverable, it’s time to remove the tree.
3. Dead Branches
Dead tree branches can occur on an otherwise healthy tree for a number of reasons. It’s important to remove dead or damaged branches as soon as possible to keep your tree healthy.
But when you see a large number of dead or dying branches, it may be a sign there’s a more significant problem.
4. Root System Damage
Root damage can happen for a number of reasons. If you’ve had construction recently, this can cause soil compaction, which can be detrimental to a tree’s root system. Compacted soil makes it difficult for trees to get healthy moisture and nutrients to their roots.
Wilting and leaf scorch are also signs of root damage, which may mean your tree needs to be removed.
5. Dangerous Trees
Even if your tree is completely healthy, some trees create potential hazards for your home, family, or community and need to be removed. For example, trees that grow too close to power lines or building structures may need to be removed.
Trees that lean at severe angles may also pose a serious threat.
6. The Tree Has New Lean
Sometimes, your tree might look healthy but has a defect in its structure. It’s not out of place for trees to develop a condition where one side grows heavier than the other. This is called tree lean.
When there is a slight lean on your tree, there is no need to bother yourself as this is only natural. However, when the lean becomes too disproportional that one side is pulling the other with it, it becomes a problem for the tree. In some situations, this heavy lean pulls the tree from the root, denying it some quality nutrients. Once this is the case, your tree’s health will be adversely affected as it will begin to lack nutrients.
In this situation, you should contact a tree specialist to examine the lean and determine if the tree has to go or not.
7. Emerald Ash Borer
It is difficult to find a beetle that has caused more damage to trees than the Emerald Ash Borer. These beetles burrow their way into the bark of trees as larvae during the winter. As they burrow, they cut off the tree from water and nutrients, making it difficult for the tree to survive.
Emerald Ash Borer tree infestation usually occurs on ash trees and is difficult to detect until the symptoms become severe.
Some of the symptoms to look out for include:
● Dying branches and dieback of the foliage
● The foliage begins to thin and turn yellow
● Foliage may begin to sprout from the trunk
● D-shaped holes in the bark of the tree, produced by adult beetles as they outgrow the larvae stage
8. The Tree Is Affecting Your Lawn
There are situations when the only way to grow a healthy green lawn is to remove trees that could cause shade on the lawn. Although some grass varieties can withstand the shade, your lawn may not grow as effectively as grass exposed to sunshine.
If you like how your grass grows, you don’t need to remove a shade tree. However, cutting down a shade tree will produce the finest results if you’re set on having a homogeneous, healthy lawn.
Minnesota Tree Removal Service
At Vital Tree Service in Woodbury, we love working with our clients to create healthy, vital lawns full of thriving trees. If you’re not sure whether a tree needs to be removed, we can help you assess the tree to make the best determination.
Whether you’re removing a potential hazard or creating a more intentional landscape, our professional tree removal team is here to help. Give us a call at 651.341.4021, or connect with us online for a free quote.