Luscious and green, trees are one of our most beautiful natural resources, forming a vital part of our ecosystem. They create welcome shade from summer’s heat, beautify our lawns, produce life-giving oxygen, and provide a perfect habitat for many of nature’s fantastic creatures. But when a tree is unhealthy or damaged, it can pose a serious threat to homeowners and their families.
Because we love our trees so much, it can be hard to know when it’s time to say goodbye. That’s why the tree experts at Vital Tree Service in Minnesota have put together this post to help you know when it’s time to remove a tree from your property. Here are five important signs to look for:
1. Hollow Trunk
As trees age, nature can affect the tree in a number of ways, causing its trunk to create a hollow space or cavitation. When you think of a hollow in a tree, you might think of little furry cartoon animals or owls making homes in the tree. In fact, small animals do often make their homes in tree hollows. Tree hollows can be found on both living and dead trees. If a tree on your lawn or landscape has a hollow, it’s important to assess the tree’s health and determine whether it is healthy and stable or a threat.
2. Symptoms of Infection
If your tree has signs of infection, it could pose a risk to the other trees on your property or even to your safety and home. If your tree has many brown or yellow leaves while the other trees on your property are green and thriving, this could be a warning of an infection. Peeling and missing bark are also warning signs that an infection may be present. You should also be aware of hard growths. All are symptoms of something serious that could pose a hazard to your other plants and trees.
3. Signs of Rotting
If your tree is beginning to display signs of rotting, it should be removed immediately. Signs of rotting include black leaves or shoots and falling, decayed, or dead branches. The biggest concern with a rotting tree is the risk that it could fall, seriously injuring your family or causing significant damage to your home, cars, or property.
4. Leaning Trunk
While it’s true that some trees grow with a lean, a tree with a leaning trunk may need to be removed. Whether a leaning tree needs to be removed ultimately depends on the reason it’s leaning. A tree that leans may have a damaged root system. If this is the case, it could pose a serious falling threat.
5. Nearby Power Lines
If your tree is growing close to power lines, it needs to be removed for the safety of your family and neighbors. A tree that touches a power line could knock out power if serious weather strikes. Wires that rub against branches can even cause a fire. Above all, never attempt to prune a tree’s branches if it’s anywhere near a power line as it can pose a life-threatening risk to your safety.
Contact our Minnesota Tree Removal Service
Never try to remove a tree on your own. Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking a tree is fairly small and can be easily removed with the help of one or two buddies. But in reality, even small trees and branches can weigh hundreds of pounds and cause serious injury.
If you’re not sure whether you should remove a tree from your property, our tree removal team can assess the health and safety of a tree to make the right determination. Give our tree pros a call at 651.341.4021, or contact us online to get your free quote.