Perhaps you’ve noticed your tree’s leaves are strangely colored, the bark has unusual holes, or some branches are breaking off. You may hesitate to take it down, hoping it will regain its health and grow stronger.
While not all tree problems require drastic solutions, tree removal is sometimes necessary for your safety. In this post, West Lake Hills’ top-notch tree service discusses common signs your tree is a hazard and needs prompt removal.
Five Signs Your Tree May Be Hazardous
You likely know about the many benefits of trees, including keeping the soil healthy, providing habitats for wildlife, and enhancing human mental health. If your tree is just beginning to lose its luster, a certified tree care service may be able to nurse it back to health.
However, removing a tree is typically the best course of action when it poses a threat. Here are five signs of a potentially hazardous tree.
1. A Heavy Tilt
Professional arborists can sometimes correct slightly leaning trees. However, trees with trunks that lean more than 10 degrees are susceptible to falling, potentially crushing people, animals, and structures in their path. Trees that lean suddenly or continuously get worse are also likely unstable.
2. Trunk Cracks
A crack that extends into the interior wood is an urgent matter. Cracks often appear where a trunk splits into two main trunks. Included or ingrown bark can be a sign of impending cracks. This defect occurs when two stems grow abnormally close together with just a thin layer of bark connecting them. This creates a weak union prone to cracking.
3. Dead Wood
Dead wood is highly hazardous because it can suddenly break off or compromise the tree’s structural integrity. Look for large cankers (dead bark sections), broken limbs on the ground, or dead branches stuck in the tree. Dead wood is not always obvious, but it’s often easier to spot in winter after the leaves have fallen.
4. Mushroom Growth
Fungal growth typically indicates tree decay and root damage. Seeing mushrooms at the tree’s base likely signifies major root issues. Other potential signs of internal decay and disease include decomposing exposed roots, areas of crumbling wood, premature leaf drop, and sawdust, sap, or mold on the tree.
5. Unhealthy Bark
Lastly, several bark issues signal serious tree health problems, including bark that is rolled, loose, missing, peeling, or falling off. Dead bark areas suggest a bacteria, fungus, or other pathogen has invaded your tree. Excessive holes in the bark may indicate that woodpeckers have found rotting sections of wood infested with insects.
Need Help Removing a Tree? Call Us Today!
Whether you need a professional to evaluate your tree’s health or to remove a tree you know is dead, Wilder Tree Company is ready to help. We offer reliable tree trimming, tree removal, and certified arborist care in West Lake Hills and the surrounding area. Contact us today for more information.